2020 CENSUS WATCH: Tracking the critical Census count

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Fixing the unfairness of prison gerrymandering

By Olivia Paschal

November 20, 2019 - In the U.S. census count set for next year, many states in the South will continue to count prisoners as residents of the district where the prison is located rather than in their home communities — a practice that distorts representative democracy. But efforts are underway in some states to change how prisoners are counted.

Southern state governments hobble census outreach efforts

By Olivia Paschal

August 23, 2019 - With the critical once-a-decade population count just months away, only three states in the South have allocated any state funding to encourage participation.

INSTITUTE INDEX: Southern states lag in census participation outreach

By Sarah Moore

June 28, 2019 - Fearing a population undercount that could result in lost congressional seats and federal funding, many states have taken aggressive steps to encourage full participation in the 2020 census. But some Southern states are dragging their feet.

How the 2020 census will boost the South's political clout

By Chris Kromm

February 15, 2019 - Southern states are projected to gain up to four congressional seats and Electoral College votes after next year's census. But some Southern states are at risk of losing representation, and census undercounts could dilute the power of African-American and Latino communities.

West Virginia dropped from upcoming census test, adding to accuracy concerns

By Emma Kromm

August 25, 2017 - The Census Bureau had initially planned to include the Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill area of West Virginia in its dress rehearsal for the 2020 census, but budget cuts forced it to scale back its plans. As a result, not a single Southern or rural community will be included in the full test, deepening worries about the count's accuracy.

Census challenges jeopardize efforts towards greater equity in the South

By Allie Yee

June 28, 2017 - With the 2020 count approaching, concerns are mounting that budget cuts and turnover at the U.S. Census Bureau could lead to missing significant numbers of historically undercounted residents — many in disadvantaged Southern communities that depend on accurate numbers to apportion political power and fund services.

Chris Kromm

@chriskromm

Chris Kromm is executive director of the Institute for Southern Studies and publisher of the Institute's online magazine, Facing South.

Email Chris

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