Welcome to the second edition of YW2CA, Your Way 2 Civic Action! This week we're highlighting the importance of the United States Census.

What Is The Census?

• The census is a national survey conducted every ten years by the federal government to determine how many people live in the United States. It takes about five minutes to complete.

• The last census took place in 2020, and it was the first time in U.S. history that households were invited to respond to the census online. Now the latest results are in! Click here to see how Delaware is growing.

• The census asks a few brief questions. For example, how many people live in a household, their age, sex, and race.

• Delaware's 2020 Census Response Rate was 64.7%, 0.6% lower than the national average.

Why Does The Census Matter?

• The census population counts how much federal funding communities will receive for roads, schools, housing, and social programs from the federal government. The Covid pandemic is a prime example of how significant this funding is for our communities.  

• The census determines how many federal Representatives each state will have in the House of Representatives for the next ten years and state redistricting here in Delaware. To learn more about the redistricting process happening this fall and what it means for Delawareans, read this article from Delaware Online.

Redistricting in Delaware

• Delaware’s General assembly held one listening session for the public regarding redistricting and has stated they will hold more, although no dates for those have been announced yet.

• Open government groups such as Delaware’s Voting Rights Coalition and the League of Women Voters of Delaware wrote a letter to legislators urging transparency and continued public input in the process.

• The League of Women Voters also spent summer months creating non-partisan and non- gerrymandered maps as a guide for legislators. Try creating your own maps here. They also sent all the legislators a Fair Maps Redistricting Pledge to sign.

Want to Get Involved?

If you are interested in redistricting, consider contacting the local groups working on the issue. The census returns in 2030, so make sure you get counted and share the importance of the census with everyone you know.

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