Can democrats in red districts lessen red state power by declining to respond to the Census?

[ArcticFox]

With Gerrymandering now constitutionally approved to lock in whoever's in power in state and national government, what if we could reduce the political power of red districts locally and/or nationally. With political power determined in part by Census counts, what if democrats in red districts simply refused to respond to the Census? If enough did refuse, would those districts lose political power in relation to districts where a greater proportion of people responded?

The punishment for failing to respond to the Census is $100 ($500 for providing false information). Personally I'd have no problem facing such a potential fine if it could make a difference in turning my red state blue.

This could also be a counter-attack against the inclusion of the citizenship question.

Yes, it would possibly lead to short-term consequences, but could provide long-term benefits to everyone.

[radical noodle]

1. Just don't answer the citizenship question

If we all refuse to answer it, they're going to have a difficult time punishing all of us.

[marylandblue]

2. If you are in a red state, it's better not to answer the census at all to weaken red states.

In a blue state, you want to be counted, but leave blank the citizen question to the immigrants harder to catch.

Trump has even politicized the Census, and I think the result be a lot of strategic filings by both Ds and Rs.

[radical noodle]

3. Florida

Which I still consider purple.

[marylandblue]

4. "Florida Man fills out Census in Crayon, claims Bigfoot ethnicity"

[radical noodle]

6. Leave it to a Floridian n/t

[Midnightwalk]

5. Not answering doesn't punish them

I think they want to scare people with immigration issues in their family into not responding at all.

They also might be trying to play more subtle political games such as having data that there are more noncitizens in liberal cities like LA than in bismark. Gaming the numbers might help with that but I wouldn’t put it past them to try not counting incomplete forms.

The ops idea of not responding at all in red areas at least has a direct effect, but could also cause unintended damage. Census numbers are used in figuring out sizes of block grants for example. There is also county data that would dilute funding in the Democratic areas that not respond. The country numbers also are used to figure out political maps. I get that gerrymandering means Democratic counties are under represented but giving them data that supports that doesn’t seem wise.

The best response would be to help make sure as many people as possible return the form. I don’t know if they take volunteers but I’d consider ringing doorbells for that.

[ArcticFox]

9. The OP was really about opening up a second front

Of course we need to make sure those in blue areas respond. That's just passing defense against this potential citizenship question.

But with a targeted campaign, maybe we could get Democrats in red areas to depress the counts there - to achieve similar results in those red areas as Republicans are trying for in blue areas.

I don't have the data, but I'm sure it's out there.

And the thing is, per capita, red states already receive more from the federal government than blue states. Yet they don't seem to be spending it for to benefit democratic or progressive priorities.

[Midnightwalk]

10. Yeah I can see that

It’s a clever idea. I’m just worried about potential the negative consequences. I have no special knowledge but it seems like a movement that made a difference in red state wide counts would unintentionally drag along some people in blue counties which would then be under counted relative to red counties.

I hope I said that right

Thanks for giving me something new to think about. I like the idea of fighting unconventionally as well as the standard ways.

[ArcticFox]

11. Happy to hear I've gotten you thinking

I'm kinda tired of Democrats always playing defense. And trying to think up something us regular folks could do to turn the tide.

True, there would need to be some organizing to educate about who should and shouldn't respond. But I'm thinking the blanket message "respond to the census" might persuade some in red districts that would be better off with lower counts.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. No. The Census is mandatory, and even you try to get people to boycott it...

you'll never get enough to make a difference.

[ArcticFox]

8. But it's not really mandatory

The only punishment for ignoring it completely is a $100 fine, and only if they even come after you. So I think it can be ignored with relative impunity.

[2naSalit]

12. There's punishment...

so you don't end up in jail, you still pay a fine according to your info, which I question.

As a former census worker, in my recollection, if you fail to respond to the questionnaire, you are cheating yourself and your neighbors. It's not just about representation in the House, it's about budget allocation and how much goes to your district based on the number of people, no party affiliation requested. And the citizenship question should to be on it&. If there is that question, don't answer that question. You are requires to respond to the questionnaire, you don't have to answer every question. Somebody will come by and ask you about it but you have the right to be vague.

The point is, roads, public schools, hospitals and other public services receive funding based on how many people live in each census block and district. They are not the same as House districts. But the whole comminuty will suffer for at least a decade.

*If the citizenship question is on a questionnaire, make sure it's the official census and not a scam.