Stand up and be counted

In the next few months, a U.S. Census form will be mailed or delivered to homes across Iowa. 
 
Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution establishes the composition of the House of Representatives and requires an enumeration to be taken every ten years in such manner as Congress directs by law-what we call the Census.  It is an essential aspect of our Republic. 

When developing our system of government, our founding fathers took exception to the concept of “virtual representation” in English law at that time.  This meant that some members of the English Parliament represented so called “rotten boroughs” with almost no residents.  At the same time, major population centers were underrepresented, and the American colonies had no direct representation. 

The Census is designed to ensure that each American has equal representation in the House of Representatives and no one’s vote counts for more than another.  One person, one vote.  Shifts in population are inevitable as parts of the country grow faster than others.  Some states will lose congressional seats as a result and others will gain.  With only five congressional seats currently, it is vital that all Iowans are counted in this census so we get the full representation we are entitled to. 

U.S. law protects the confidentiality of every American when they complete their census form.  General Census figures are often used in determining policies made in both private organizations and governments at all levels, so it’s important that all Iowans take this responsibility seriously and stand up and be counted.