Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
Bjgordon623@gmail.com
The 2020 Census began in earnest April 1, Census Day.
New Mexico Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler, whose district includes Los Alamos, is concerned that citizens may not be taking the census seriously enough.
“This only happens every 10 years,” Chandler said. “It’s a really big deal. There must be a push to get everyone counted.”
There are three main reasons the census is so important, Chandler said. The first is financial.
“Federal benefits are determined by the count of individuals ,” she said. “Federal dollars for everything from Medicaid to Head Start, to highway planning and construction depend on the census. Participating is particularly important for New Mexicans, because we are a poor state.”
The second reason is political, Chandler said.
“Voting districts are apportioned by population and all states are set to redistrict in 2022,” she said. “That will determine how seats like mine are set up. Around 29,000 people are currently in each district and we want to make sure the districts include the same number of voters because of the political implications.”
Los Alamos is doing well on census reporting, but some neighboring communities are low, Chandler said.
“The County Council is to be commended for putting funds in the budget to help Rio Arriba County with its count,” Chandler said. “The state is contributing $8 million to the New Mexico census, which shows just how important it is.”
The third reason the 2020 Census matters is that researchers use the data in their analysis of a huge number of subjects, she said. Accuracy of the data is important if their research is to be more than “garbage in, garbage out” when they present their findings for use in policy planning.
“I want to stress the individual census data is sealed for 75 years,” Chandler said. “Only statistical numbers are provided to researchers. People need not fear that their personal information, such as immigration status will be revealed by filling out a census form.”
Census forms are mailed to all addresses, and also can be filled out online at census.gov.