Summary: In 2020, the U.S. will conduct its next census. The result of that census will determine the amount of federal funds appropriated to states—nearly $700 billion federal aid is at stake. It also will determine the number of seats in Congress a state receives, as well as redistricting for state legislative and local seats. This episode will explain why an accurate count is critical to government, businesses, nonprofits and other organizations. Preparations are underway and states are taking a lead role, with many already creating statewide complete count commissions to ensure accurate counts. Our guests will explain the process of collecting the data of more than 327 million people and what will happen between now and when official data are collected. They also say state legislators have a critical role to play in the process. Our three guests are: Tim Olson, associate director for field operations, U.S. Census Bureau. Terri Ann Lowenthal, census consultant and former staff director of the House Census Oversight Committee. Patrick Potyondy, a legislative policy specialist and ACLS-Mellon public fellow in NCSL’s Elections and Redistricting program. Additional Resources Transcription of Episode 31
