What You Need to Know About The Census

The United States Census is a procedure that is undertaken every ten years as mandated by the United States Constitution. The Census is responsible for creating a representation or enumeration of the actual population of the United States. Though it has many purposes, such as allocation of Government programs or funds and electoral votes, it is the prime resource that used in the apportionment of Congressional seats in the House of Representatives. As it is today, Congress employs the mathematical formula known as the Equal Proportion Method.

Utah v. Evans is a case in which such practice was declared to be within the bounds of Constitutional law. Since the institution of the United States Census, it has been conducted a total of twenty-two times since 1790. The most recent Census is currently being conducted in 2010, with the next one scheduled in 2020.

According to expert projections, the 2010 Census is to affect the apportionment of seats of the House of Representatives. According to these early calculations, a total of twelve seats will be shifted among the United States House of Representatives. Key predictions affect some of the largest states such as Texas, New York, Arizona, Florida, and Nevada. Projections entail Texas receiving four more seats, Arizona and Florida adding two more seats, Nevada obtaining one seat, and New York losing one seat.

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