Giving Compass' Take:

• Full civic engagement in the U.S. Census is crucial this year as it pertains to significant funding that will help vulnerable populations, particularly in times of crisis. 

• How are you encouraging civic engagement in your community? 

• Read more about philanthropy and the U.S. 2020 Census. 

There is nothing more vital to our democracy than active participation. No matter our political leanings, we all understand the importance — as citizens and community members — of being recognized, heard, and seen. Yet when it comes to our most consequential civic matters, far too many of us are excluded, disengaged, or invisible. And while we remain sequestered and distant from one another during this health crisis, that invisibility is increased and more consequential.

In this hugely important election and Census year, our future will be shaped not only by who we elect to office, but how funding decisions are made that will affect the health of our communities, the education of our children, the quality of our infrastructure, and so much more.

With this at stake, and elections sharing the headlines with growing public health concerns, turnout in Silicon Valley hit record levels on Super Tuesday. About 50% of eligible voters went to the polls. This is a big uptick from the 2012 presidential primary election, when turnout was only 38.8%.

We reached 50% voter participation because of unprecedented levels of access and support for voters. Santa Clara County adopted a new system to make voting easier, and the nonprofit sector mobilized to educate the community about the change.

Yet as we look ahead now to the next big civic engagement moment of 2020 — Census Day on April 1st — a 50% participation rate is not encouraging, it’s downright alarming.

One hundred percent participation in the Census is absolutely essential. Our community’s share of more than $675 billion in federal funding for critical health care, housing, education, and safety net programs is at stake, as is political representation at all levels of government.

Read the full article about civic engagement from Magnify Community at Medium.