The state of Oregon wants to make sure all of its residents are counted during next year’s census. Gov. Kate Brown kicked off the efforts Monday at the state capitol.
The once-a-decade census is required by the U.S. Constitution and is used to allocate representation in Congress and the state legislature. The federal government also uses the results as a way to divvy up billions of dollars for schools, transportation and other public services.
Census forms will be mailed to Oregonians next winter or early spring.
Oregon officials are concerned about an effort by the Trump administration to put a question on the census about citizenship status. Aldo Solano is leading the census efforts for Governor Kate Brown. He says that line of inquiry could have a chilling effect among Oregon’s immigrant communities.
“Having a question that asks somebody ‘I’m from the federal government and I want to task you a few questions. Are you a citizen of the United States?’" It’s going to have a huge detrimental impact on whether they’re willing to participate, or even open a door or make a phone call or go online and fill out a form,” said Solano.
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to rule later this year on whether the citizenship question can be included.
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