2020 Census

ELCA PARTNER WITH 2020 CENSUS: As a church committed to action for the common good, the ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census. More than $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities is based on census data. An accurate count determines electoral maps and ensures that resources more justly go where they are needed most, including to vital programs that combat poverty and hunger and support people in need.

This partnership reflects the goal of ELCA World Hunger (elca.org/hunger) to work toward a just world where all are fed, and it furthers our commitment to greater justice in public policy and the electoral process—because counting matters.

Census data determines how state and federal government funds and services are distributed for the next 10 years. “Funding for over 100 federal programs, many of which combat poverty and hunger, and support people in need, are distributed based on population,” said Amy E. Reumann, director of ELCA Advocacy. “An accurate count ensures that resources more justly go where they are needed most. It is also critical for representation in the political process as Census information determines electoral maps.”Undercounting is a significant issue among groups that benefit most from anti-poverty programs and from greater representation in decision-making. “Hard to count” individuals in Census experiences include people residing in rural areas, children, LGBTQIA people, those experiencing homelessness, people who don’t speak English, and racial and ethnic minorities.

The Census aims to count everyone, regardless of immigration status and, as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, there won’t be a question about citizenship status on the 2020 Census.People underrepresented in previous Census counts aren’t strangers. They’re part of our congregations and communities. Look for materials from ELCA Advocacy to support your ministry’s participation in serving your neighbor through encouraging an accurate count for the 2020 Census (elca.org/advocacy).

Posters are available from ELCA.org/resources/advocacy to help ELCA congregations encourage participation, particularly among hard-to-count populations such as people residing in rural areas, young children, LGBTQIA people, people experiencing homelessness, indigenous people, people who do not speak English, and racial and ethnic minorities. National Census Day is April 1, 2020, at which time all homes should have been invited to complete the census. For your neighbor and yourself — encourage your community to be counted!