It is vital that every person living in Michigan is counted during the 2020 Census, that was the key message at a forum held this week. Hosted by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, it featured four speakers who all highlighted that same key message.

One of the top reasons for an accurate count is federal funding. Each year, nearly $665 billion in funding is determined by the census. Estimates show the State of Michigan receives approximately $1,800 per-person, per-year in federal funding. The amount of potential lost funding could add up quickly if thousands of residents aren’t counted.  Additionally, the number of congressional seats is determined by the census. Should Michigan lose more residents, as was the case in 2010, the state would be at risk of losing another congressional seat, giving the state one less person advocating on our behalf. On the state level, district lines will be redistricted following the census. Since districts are drawn based on population counts, an inaccurate count could cause certain districts to have a much large constituency base than others.

What are the state and federal governments doing to spread the message? The federal government is kicking off a massive communication campaign in January 2020. Additionally, they are working with community organizations and local partners to educate the public. In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Kerry Ebersole Singh as the Michigan Statewide Census Director. In her role, she’s working with state and local partners to ensure Michigan residents know how vital an accurate count is in the upcoming census.

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