The Census Could Undercount People Who Don’t Have Internet Access

From Slate.com by Jessica Rosenworcel  July 29, 2019

Each national census (every 10 years) is mandated by the Constitution.  The data determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representative, and is used to distribute federal funds to local communities.  In other words, these numbers are critical, and could determine if a community gets fair representation and needed federal funds.

The 2020 Census can be completed on-line.  This Slate.com article details several problems with this methodology, and the risks of under-counting large groups of people who are not on-line.  “The Pew Research Center reports that nearly half of adults who earn less than $30,000 do not have broadband service at home. ”  This group almost certainly includes many people with disabilities.  In other words, the 2020 census will have a direct on the voting impact and federal dollars, with under-represented groups losing out.