Blaine County Residents Are Urged to Complete the 2020 Census
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On behalf of the Department of Commerce, Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney, who also chairs the Montana Complete Count Committee, contacted Blaine County officials this past week about the seriously low numbers of people in Blaine County completing the 2020 Census. The Montana Complete Count Committee (MTCCC) is panel of state leaders who represent the diverse communities, geographies and populations across our state.
In a bipartisan effort, Greg Jergeson, who chairs the central committee in Blaine County for the Montana Democratic Party, and Frank DePriest, Blaine County Commissioner, agreed to work together on this issue. The two are coordinating a campaign to organize the public to get the word out.
"Whether you've received a packet or some other notification or not, you need to go online and complete the census. Neighbors need to talk to neighbors so everyone gets their information in," Jergeson said.
Based on population percentages from the previous census a decade ago, Cooney reported that only 19% of Blaine County residents have completed the 2020 Census, compared to 70% in more urban counties.
"Even if you're not a voter, this is an important issue," Jergeson added. "Your response matters, and it's critical to report since the reapportionment and distribution of taxpayer dollars depends on numbers. Even if you distrust the government, there is nothing in the nine questions that any agencies of government can use against you."
As state and federal dollars flow in to a community, these funds are based on population counts. Consequently, the census can shape many different aspects of a community. Because more people require more resources, everything from
health clinics to fire departments and schools depend on the census. Even county roads and state highways receive improvement dollars from census counts, according to Jergeson.
"A recent application of this can be found in the allocation of COVID-19 emergency funds. Some of these appropriations were based on population. In order for a community to receive maximum benefit, it has to show a need in numbers," Jergeson explained.
Jergeson went on to say that if everyone gets counted in Montana, the state might get a second legislator in the House of Representatives, something we haven't had since 1992.
State legislatures or independent bipartisan commissions are responsible for redrawing congressional and electoral districts, based on where populations have increased or decreased. The U.S. Census Bureau provides states with population counts for this purpose.
"Montana needs a second person in Congress because one individual can't serve on all committees or have a seat in every meeting on an issue that might interest Montanans," Jergeson said.
Because city council seats, county commissioner districts, and legislative districts are all based on population, the census actually impacts a state's, a county's, and even a city's political strength.
"An enormous under count will put Montana at a major disadvantage," Jergeson insisted.
According to the Census Bureau's website, "Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.
"The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than one hundred programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP."
Both DePriest and Jergeson encourage Blaine County residents to complete the U.S. Census Bureau form online, by phone, or by mail. Individuals can visit my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020. Other phone numbers are available at https://2020census.gov/ for those whose first language is not English.
That website also explains that April 1 was Census Day, a reference date, not a deadline to respond. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau is delaying the deadline for counting everyone in the U.S. because of concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus.
Originally, the 2020 census had been scheduled to conclude at the end of July, but the deadline has now been extended to mid-August.
"The results of this once-a-decade count determine so much since many federal funds are tied to our census," DePriest said. "In the printed materials I received, Montana received allocations of approximately $20,000 per counted individual this past decade, and 70,000 miles of highways received maintenance funding from the allocation of gas taxes."
DePriest added, "Don't be a last minuter; we need to get this done!"
