Right now, as our nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic and its havoc on our everyday lives, a cornerstone of America’s democracy is under serious threat: the 2020 Census. But this unprecedented challenge does not lessen our responsibility to make sure that every person is counted and encourage our family, friends, and communities to do the same.
The United States recognizes April 1 as Census Day. This once-a-decade count of all people who live in America is vital to our democracy. At its core, the Census collects basic information to provide a snapshot of who we are, where we live, and what we need. As Democratic leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, I saw firsthand how the 2010 Census left many Georgians uncounted, which meant they lost access to financial resources and political power.
Here’s what’s at stake: The results of the Census will guide reapportionment (how many Congressional leaders each state has) and redistricting (the political lines that shape who represents us) from Congressional districts to city councils to school zones. This intel will determine the allocation of $1.5 trillion dollars each year through more than 300 federal programs. These resources fund everything from roads to schools to hospitals. Vital programs such as Medicaid, Pell Grants, and free and reduced lunch all rely on the Census to determine allocation of funding. Simply put, if your community goes uncounted, your fair share of resources and political power is lost for the next decade.
In recent weeks, the first invitations to complete the Census have gone out to households across the country, and participating has never been easier: We can complete the Census online, by phone, or by mail.
As you know, the 2018 election did not result in my winning the governor’s race in Georgia, but it did renew my commitment to service. I knew that we had to focus the nation’s attention on the right to vote, the right to be seen, and the progressive policies that make access to opportunity real. Because my parents raised me to fix what I see is broken, I launched three initiatives designed to empower communities across Georgia and the nation:
- Fair Fight advocates for free and fair elections.
- The Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) fosters a more equitable future in the South through social and economic policy.
- Fair Count ensures that hard-to-count communities such as communities of color, rural populations, children, and renters are fairly and accurately counted in the 2020 Census.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew a fair count would be tough. The current administration has underfunded the Census by billions. Trump’s team also spearheaded a failed attempt at including a citizenship question, which politicized the Census in ways never seen before—weaponizing a tool for good against communities of color and immigrant families. Now, COVID-19 has added a new layer of difficulties for the Census, but I know our nation and democracy will remain resilient during these uncertain times.
In the coming weeks, and perhaps months, our thoughtful response to COVID-19 is paramount—but so too is our response to the 2020 Census. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to participate. Every person living in the U.S. can respond to the Census online at My2020Census.gov; by phone, toll-free, at 844-330-2020; or by mail.
Our communities will need both the financial and political power allocated by the Census more than ever before as we respond and rebuild—together. Your family and neighbors depend on your participation to ensure that across the country, we get the resources we deserve. Do not let silence write us out of America’s narrative. If you are not counted, you simply will not count. So get counted, America!
Stacey Abrams is the former Democratic leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, the 2018 Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia and the Founder of Fair Fight Action, Fair Count, and the Southern Economic Advancement Project.
