ATLANTA – State Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) urges local government officials, organizations and citizens in House District 15, which includes a portion of Bartow County, to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. The current overall response rate for Bartow County is 61.9 percent.
“I am proud of Bartow County’s participation rate in the 2020 U.S. Census so far, but our work is not finished,” said Rep. Gambill. “An accurate census count is crucial to ensure that our state, including Bartow County, receives much needed federal funding and the representation we deserve in Washington D.C. I urge our local government officials, as well as organizations and citizens, to please get involved to make sure we get a 100 percent response rate for Bartow County.”
Beginning August 11, the U.S. Census Bureau’s enumerators are scheduled to start going door-to-door to all non-responsive households throughout our nation. To ensure the health and safety of all who reside in the state, Rep. Gambill encourages constituents to complete the census before that time. Georgians have until October 31 to respond to the census, but citizens are encouraged to respond as soon as possible.
The 2020 U.S. Census count determines certain funding formulas and allocations for federal programs that may benefit Bartow County. Each year, Georgians receive loans, grants and services valued at more than $40 billion from 316 federal programs that use census data as a part of their funding formula. Many of these programs provide health care, housing and social services, as well as fund infrastructure initiatives. Some programs that utilize the U.S. Census count include Medicaid; Medicare Part B; federal school lunch programs; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
This census also impacts Georgia’s representation in the U.S. Congress. Due to the last three census counts, Georgia has gained four congressional seats, which were lost by other states in order for Georgians to gain more representation in the U.S. Congress. State House and State Senate Districts are also redrawn based upon census data.
For more information on the 2020 U.S. Census, please click here.
Representative Matthew Gambill represents the citizens of District 15, which includes portions of Bartow County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism and Insurance committees.
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