ACTION: ELECTIONS MATTER: PROTECT THE 2020 CENSUS

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Thursday, January 25, 2018
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ELECTIONS MATTER: PROTECT THE 2020 CENSUS
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#Protect2020Census

Upset about the DREAM act and Medicaid work requirements? Concerned that transgendered patients will be denied healthcare? Losing sleep over the Paris Climate accords? Nervous about possible war with North Korea? Then call our MoCs to protect the 2020 census and our election process.

Every decade the census is used to determine Congressional districts and government resource allocation. The Trump administration is doing its best to politicize the census and tilt the results.

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have underfunded the census by billions - which will suppress the voting power of minorities.

Thomas Burnell has been nominated to lead the census.  Burnell has little experience and has testified in support of gerrymandering.  Burnell is currently serving in a Deputy position that does not need Senate confirmation; however, his new position as Director does.

A politicized Justice Department made a formal request to add a question regarding citizenship to the census. This will decrease response rates, which puts accurate Congressional representation at risk, and will short change vulnerable populations when it comes to government funding.

An inaccurate, underfunded census will cause lasting damage to the democratic process, our voting rights and domestic federal funding.  Our Members of Congress must insist on a fair and nonpartisan census.
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**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE and OUR SENATORS**
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.)

SAMPLE SCRIPT
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am very worried that an in inaccurate underfunded census will damage our democracy.  I ask that the Rep/Senator 1) oppose Thomas Burnell to lead the Census Bureau 2) call for the Commerce Secretary NOT to add a question about citizenship to the census, and 3) do all he/she can to make sure the census is adequately funded. Thank you.”
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**ACTION 2: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Share this post with friends and family. Help them leave call their Congressional delegation urging them to protect the census by opposing Thomas Burnell to lead the census, calling for the Commerce Secretary NOT to add a question about citizenship to the census and making sure the census is adequately funded.
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**PHONE NUMBERS**

SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010

CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400

CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300

CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609

CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324


** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**