Michigan leads census wager with Ohio
COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s governor is urging residents to help the state stage a come-from-behind victory in its census competition with Michigan.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm made a friendly wager earlier this month to see which state would have a higher participation rate in the 2010 U.S. Census.
As of today, 73 percent of Michigan households had returned their census forms, versus 72 percent in Ohio.
The governors have agreed that the winner will donate his or her state tree to the losing state on Arbor Day, April 30.
Strickland tells Ohioans that completing the forms also will help make sure the state receives the federal resources it deserves.
In 2000, Michigan and Ohio tied with 77 percent participation in the census.