US Census

As people worry about political candidates and income taxes (and other non-governmental concerns), they might give little notice to a special questionnaire being sent out by the federal government in March 2000. Some might even think it is junk mail and toss it in the trash (many probably do since around a third do not send them back) without realizing that it is actually a form sent out in accord with the U.S. Census. This is the process that is held every ten years to determine the number and location of the people (not citizens alone) residing in the United States to apportion the members of the US House of Representatives. The census is used to determine how many representatives (of the total of 435) each state gets in addition to the minimum of one mandated by the Constitution. The census is also used for statistical reasons, to determine the recipients of federal funds, and for various other reasons such as enforcing voting rights laws.

The census by constitutional command has been held every ten years since the ratification of the Constitution in the 1790s. The need to determine the population to apportion members of Congress fairly among the states was and is an ongoing concern as the population constantly grows as moves around. This is an important issue because more representatives equal more power (and governmental spending) for the states involved. The census also was important in the past before the use of income taxes because a major source of taxation was 'direct taxes' that has to be based on population. The use of the income tax changed matters, but did greatly increase the amount of federal funds to be doled out via a slew of programs. The census helps to determine the numbers in various groups and institutions that are to receive such funding. This is why (as well as for statistical reasons) some people get "long forms" with various questions the many do not have to answer.

In the past, the census was carried out via a type of door to door headcount, which eventually became rather unwieldly. Improvements in communication and transportation as well as great growths in population led to the use of mailed questionnaires as an alternative. As a back-up, there is a system of phone calls and home visits for those who do not answer, may not have received or understood the form, and so on. Nonetheless, this system tends to undercount certain groups, including immigrants (who may not understand the process or fear it in some way, especially if illegals are involved), the poor (especially those in bad and high crime areas), and homeless. These groups also tend to be disproportionately members of minority groups, resulting in an equal protection problem, especially since these are the groups that also more often need the representation, funding and so on involved as well. The government, various ethnic groups (including different Asian groups), and others are working to deal with this troubling issue.

The importance of an accurate count of such groups is especially evident when we look into a bit of history. A careful reading of the full discussion of apportionment in Article One reminds us that certain "other persons" were only counted as 3/5ths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation. These "other persons" were slaves, and thus were not counted as full persons because they were not considered equal to free individuals. This changed when slavery was abolished and the Fourteenth Amendment explicitly protected equal protection of the law as well as removing this provision from the Constitution. Therefore, we should be particularly careful in counting minority groups because of past history and the importance it has to uphold equal protection for the groups that often need it the most.

As noted, various techniques have been put in place to deal with possible errors in the headcount. One controversial technique is a statistical method known as sampling wherein only a relatively small number of respondents is necessary to determine the whole number of people. A similar technique is used in opinion polls and the like. Nonetheless, since the Constitution speaks of an "actual enumeration" and because an actual headcount for the longest time was the most accurate (and straightforward) method of counting, there is some opposition to the use of sampling. Also, a somewhat unclear federal law passed to authorize the census was interpreted to mean that sampling could not be used to determine representation, though it could be used for other reasons, including handling out federal funds. I am inclined to agree with the Supreme Court on the law itself, but do feel a new clearer law allowing sampling along with the other methods should be passed if it helps to get an accurate count. Furthermore, it is a stretch to say "actual enumeration" can not mean a count using various counting techniques, especially given that we are not using a pure headcount technique now. Finally, it is a tad bit outrageous (if unsurprising) that the fact that the undercounted tend to be Democrats factors into the equation. I do not care to which party the undercounted (we are dealing in the thousands in many cities and states) belong; the concern should be an accurate count.

Sampling is but one of the controversial issues involved in the census process. Another somewhat related issue involves the question of choosing one's race and ethnic background, which is important to carrying out such things as affirmative action programs, enforcing various voting rights laws, and determining the special needs of various groups. Problems arise not only because many individuals are of mixed heritage, but because some oppose the very idea of writing down their race or ethnic background. All the information on the form is private (the importance of privacy is seen by the use of Census data to further Japanese Internment during WWII), but it remains a matter of principle to some individuals, especially because most do not choose the current option of checking more than one box. As discussed in the link supplied, this option is also flawed in that there is a good chance the person would still be put into one particular racial or ethnic group. One fear is that as a result, various groups will get less funding and protection because their numbers will be smaller. The alternative would be for mixed heritage individual to choose one race or ethnic group (e.g. a child of white and black parents would check black), a result I personally find offensive as well as inaccurate. It also has the taint of the past wherein a bit of black blood made someone black, though the reserse was obviously not true. Some parents also choose one race for one child, an another for the next one, and so on. This too is obviously not the best way of doing things. Therefore, this remains a problematic issue, especially in as diverse as ours.

The census is a rather drab and arcane issue, but one that is very important to all of us for many reasons. A true republican and democratic system of government, especially one that honors the principle of equality, requires representation apportioned fairly and equitably. The same principle applies when the government determines the recipients of our tax dollars, which should be done fairly as well as in a way that handles out the money to those who need it the most. An accurate census count is a big part in fulfilling these goals, as well as providing us with additional information necessary to meet the needs of the people. Many complicated issues in determining the best way to get an accurate count, issues given less concern than they merit given other more immediate concerns of our representatives, especially in an election year.

After first getting a letter telling me to expect the form within about a week (came more like 10 days later) along with a postage paid envelope for unclear reasons (apparently for those who need help in some way, but this was not made that clear), I got my census form. I got a letter telling it is in order to count every person in my house or apartment in order to ascertain representatives in Congress and perhaps the "more important" reason of determing how much money my area would receive. The "money gets used for schools, employment services, housing assistance, roads, services for children and the elderly, and many other local needs." Nothing like being honest and appealing to the pocketbook. Also, the letter reminds me that the information is private. It was well written and easy to understand, atypical for government forms. It also had a postage paid envelope to send it back to the Census Bureau.

The form itself had eight questions and took me about two minutes to fill out. The information requested: number of people living at my residence, own or rent?, name, phone number, sex, age and birthday, am I Spanish/Hispanic/Latino? (Mexican, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban?), and what race I "consider" myself (if I like rap, can I be black? as noted above, seriously this can cause problems). For space reasons, there is only room (i.e. boxes) for giving all this information for six people, only the names of the rest are to be listed (up to 12 total, then you have to write the names yourself). This can cause problems for large families or residences with many people, and I do not like the fact that the Census Bureau "may" call to get more information. This and the race issue aside, I think it was well composed, though know some with poor education and/or understanding of the language might have problems. On the other hand, I think if handled right, it can be an important way for each person to see their own personal role in a republican democracy.

Update: As the day all census forms are to be sent back to the government (April 1st) comes and goes, local papers in my area (NYC) have supplied various interesting articles on various topics on this important event. Many discuss the moves by many groups, including various Asian groups who make up a large part of the new immigrants (many of whom might not be familiar with the issue or have language problems), to push their members to help reach an accurate count. Given past numbers, a relatively good fifty percent return rate has been reached thus far (remembering last time it was 66 percent by the end and that late returns are not in), and new legislation is being passed for localities to challenge possible undercounts. The use of sampling has not been totally decided, since its use in matters besides counting for enumeration purposes is still open to debate on political and constitutional grounds.

Another issue is opposition to the long form, which has more personal questions such as income (though people do income taxes after all) and even such questions as the number of bathrooms (valuable for such information as water use for environmental purposes). Some Republicans are even suggesting people do not fill in questions they feel are too personal, an appeal btw for those one in six who get such forms to break the law (admittedly one nearly never enforced). This matter is not as trivial as it might seem because of the ongoing legitimate fear of widespread use of computerized data, including information many would consider private. It is true that the data here will be put to good use and is said to be private, but information on forms with our names on it can not totally be private. Furthermore, some see this as one more way the government is involving itself in our personal lives by stretching its legitimate powers too far (it should be noted, however, for a long time extra information has been asked, if not as much as the current long form).

Race also is a major issue, especially since those with a mix of "minority" and "white" origins apparently will be counted as "minority," which is rather offensive. On the other hand, there has been an increase of non-white census form responses, though it comes along with a slight dip in white responses. As the country is in an uproar over the fate of one Cuban child who (horrors) might go back to his father, it is nice to see people are caring about more pressing issues, though it also shows just how complicated what originally was a simple counting technique has become. As a final note, it has been determined that my state will lose two congressional seats, showing ultimately the power the census brings with it.