The Census Counts: Learn how an undercount can affect the state March 25

Date: Wednesday, March 25 Time: 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Location: Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall Address: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis Contact: Mpls. League of Women Voters 612-333-6319 url: www.lwvmpls.org The League of Women Voters of Minneapolis, in partnership with the Hennepin County Library and the County Library Foundation, will present an evening of discussion of the 2010 census as a State of Democracy Project on Wednesday, March 25 from 6 to 8:30 P.M. in Pohlad Hall of the Minneapolis Central Library. The event is being held to learn about the census process and the economic, social, and political consequences of not being counted as well as to prevent an undercount of the upcoming 2010 census. One result of an undercounted census is the loss of an electoral vote in the House of Representatives, while another is that federal funds are distributed in part based upon the state's population. The evening's speakers will be state demographer Tom Gillaspy, LWVMN Executive Director Keesha Gaskins, Marsha Avner of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. The goal of the State of Democracy Project, initiated by a generous grant from the Joyce Foundation, is to determine the health of democracy in Minnesota and to develop, in collaboration with other organizations and the public, recommendations on how and where we can improve. The effort also seeks to identify the most significant shortcomings in Minnesota's political systems and develop strategies and best practices to lay the groundwork for real reform. Refreshments will be served. Parking available in library ramp with entrance on 4th Street.