Op-Ed: Important Census Deadline Today

Op-Ed

Many aspects of the U.S. Census have changed since it was first conducted 220 years ago in 1790, but one important message remains the same: the accurate counting of all Americans is critical to our Democracy.

The census is required by Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution. This section requires that all citizens be counted every ten years in order to ensure that all citizens are proportionally represented in Congress.

Because the census is used to apportion Members to the House of Representatives to each state, it is crucial that all citizens in the State of West Virginia fill out their census forms and return them. The more Representatives our state has in Congress, the more our voices are heard.

Across this nation, almost $200 billion is distributed each year in federal, state, local and tribal funds. Money goes to a wide variety of infrastructure projects like roads and bridges, as well as to research at our universities and many other projects. If every West Virginian is counted in this year's census, more of that funding can be channeled to our state, allowing for the funding of crucial infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, telecommunications and so forth.

Many of us are wary of giving the government private information about ourselves and are frustrated that the census is necessary in an age when the government knows so much about us through the tax code and other methods.

I completely understand this sentiment, and share it to some degree. However, I write to the citizens of West Virginia today to assure you that your information will only be used statistically and is protected under federal law. This information can only be used for census purposes.

Completing and returning the census is absolutely vital to our state and to our communities. Failing to complete this form is a crime, but perhaps worse, it misrepresents our state and puts us at a disadvantage compared to other states that have a higher completion rate.

As taxpayers, we should expect to receive back our fair share of the federal pot that we have paid into. By filling out the 2010 census and mailing it back by April 1, you are ensuring your fair representation for you and your neighbors.

Capito represents West Virginia's Second Congressional District.

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