Who Shall Not Be Counted During a Census?

Evidence suggests that everyone participates in a census. Every individual found within a residence on the enumeration’s specified date is counted. If no one is found, neighbors are questioned. Occasionally, people avoid being counted or may be counted more than once. However, there are specific groups who are excluded from the census counts, and these exclusions are guided by legal and constitutional frameworks.

Exclusions According to the Constitution and Federal Law

Based on the U.S. Constitution and federal laws, only Native Americans not embraced in general society—those not residing on reservations—are not counted. Other populations, including all U.S. citizens, are included. Historically, slaves were counted but their numbers were adjusted to 60 of the actual number for representation in Congress. The 13th Amendment abolished this practice, making them full citizens with proper representation.

Purposes of the Census

The census does not only serve the purpose of representation in Congress. It is a comprehensive tool used for various critical activities, including determining infrastructure needs, distributing tax-collected funds back to the states, and recording the actual number of residents in an area. These data are useful in understanding demographics and assessing damages or other misfortunes.

Specific Exclusions

Aside from Native Americans not on reservations, other groups are fully included. Fetuses, for example, are never counted as human beings. The belief that fetuses are human beings requires reevaluation. Additionally, individuals who are not citizens may not be included in the census, although recent changes have provided more comprehensive coverage for the entire population.

My Experience

I have been involved in the census as a worker for a few years. From my experience, the only individuals who might not be counted are the homeless, as workers were given specific addresses to visit and inquire about the residents. While there could be specific ways to count the homeless, this task was not part of our mandate.

Conclusion

In summary, the census includes everyone who is breathing, except for a few specific groups. Understanding these exclusions and the overall purpose of the census is crucial for maintaining accurate and comprehensive data that reflects the true state of the U.S. population.