2020 census
Explainer: The proposals to keep Ohio’s redistricting process on track
Ohio’s redistricting process is in a state of turmoil, with a delay in Census data leading the state to worry about there not being enough time to adequately draw new legislative maps. Republicans and Democrats have both presented plans for how Ohio can deal with these delays. In essence, legislative leaders from both parties want […]
Advocates tout an “incredible opportunity” to tamp down gerrymandering
Despite all the horrors of the coronavirus pandemic, it delivered one wrinkle that some advocates believe is an unprecedented opportunity to mitigate “partisan gerrymandering.” Ever wonder why Congress or the state legislature not only refuse to do things that have support of 70% of the public, they often turn around and do the exact opposite? […]
Census data delays may significantly impact Ohio redistricting process
Delays in processing the 2020 U.S. Census data will likely impact Ohio’s ability to redraw legislative districts later this year. The U.S. Census Bureau announced last Friday it has pushed back the deadline to release population data to Sept. 30, months later than was originally expected, due to the pandemic. The delay could pose major […]
Ohio congressional map to be redrawn after decade of gerrymandering
Democrat Shannon Freshour’s campaign against U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, began with a viral announcement and she stayed in the spotlight for the year to follow. Republican Christina Hagan, running against U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, got an endorsement tweet from Donald Trump. The president even shared Hagan’s campaign donation page to his millions of […]
2020 Census counting wraps up in Ohio
That’s a wrap on counting people for the 2020 U.S. Census. Data collection ended last Thursday, with that being the last day for field workers to finish their household visits and the last day for people to submit their own Census responses. The final day had been moved several times. The Trump administration had sought […]
Shortened census count will hurt communities of color
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau is having a harder time than in the past counting all Americans, and is now saying its workers will spend less time trying to count everyone. In August, the Trump administration announced the plan to end the 2020 Census count a month early, on Sept. 30 instead […]
The Rev. William Barber to Ohio politicians: Refocus policy to address racism, poverty
A prominent civil rights leader and anti-poverty advocate said Friday Ohio legislators need to be focused on passing bills against racism, and refocusing their religious priorities. In a meeting with media from States Newsroom outlets across the country, the Rev. William Barber said the state and the country need to address “interlocking injustices” in order […]
More than 500,000 Ohioans couldn’t pay rent last month, census survey estimates
A survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that more than 500,000 Ohioans were unable to pay rent last month because of financial insecurity amid the coronavirus pandemic. The bureau’s Household Pulse Survey studies COVID-19’s impact on social and economic factors like employment, finances, food insecurity, housing, health and schooling. The latest poll indicated […]
Census responses are lower in poorer areas. Here’s what Ohio is doing about it.
Will the rich get richer? If census data collection ended today, they would. With few exceptions in Ohio, you can predict a county’s census response rate just by looking at how well-off its citizens are financially. Poorer counties tend to have much lower response rates than richer ones. With so much on the line — […]
Pandemic could have major impact on census data
There was a Ferris wheel destined for Athens, Ohio. When Mayor Steve Patterson was thinking of ideas to help boost participation in the 2020 census, he and other officials came up with one giant reward for college students’ participation. “Everyone that brought proof that they’d filled out the census would get a free ride, and […]
Stuck at home? Use your time wisely and fill out the U.S. Census.
Ohioans are being encouraged to make productive use of their time spent at home by completing the U.S. Census. The census, undertaken every 10 years, happens to be coinciding with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, residents can fill out the Census form online, by phone or through the mail. Here are a few things to […]
Census vital to rural infrastructure, services, mayors say
From a McDonald’s parking lot to a Ferris Wheel on West Union Street in Athens, mayors across the state are pushing every method of getting a full count in the 2020 Census. Southeast Ohio was particularly represented as the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress came together at the Statehouse with Ohio Development Services Agency Director Lydia […]