In the wake of COVID-19, the importance of filling out the 2020 Census has never been greater. And yet, the Federal Government has decided to cut short the Census count by a month—ending the in-person and online responses on September 30th instead of October 31st The shortening of the 2020 Census timeline poses a grave threat particularly to immigrant communities and communities of color who are historically undercounted.
For example, when COVID-19 hit NYC and overwhelmed our hospitals and health care system, we saw first-hand the vital importance of being counted. Past undercounts of the Census had left healthcare funding on the table, depriving our hospitals of more federal dollars.
We can’t let this happen again. Please fill out the Census online if you haven’t done so already. There is so much that we still can do. Here is a COVID-19 addendum to the Faith-Leaders Toolkit is to share with members of you community to help increase the count.
*****************************************************************
The Census Bureau is cutting short critical door-knocking efforts for the 2020 Census
Attempts by the bureau’s workers to conduct in-person interview for the census will end on September 30th – not October 31st, the end date it indicated in April would be necessary to count every person living in the U.S. given major setbacks from the pandemic. Additionally, the census self-response period will terminate on September 30th as well.
The condensed door-knocking time frame increases the risk of leaving out many people of color, immigrants and other members of historically undercounted groups from numbers that are collected once a decade to determine each state’s share of congressional seats, Electoral College votes and federal tax dollars for Medicare, Medicaid and other public services.
At this time, barely over 50% of New Yorkers have self-responded to the census, and there is less than a week before the Census Bureau starts knocking on their doors. Data collected from that point on has historically been less accurate, which means if we don’t get more people to fill out the census online or over the phone by August 11, our communities could be seriously undercounted.
What can you do?
1) Join a Census Project sign on letter : The Census Project, a coalition of national, state and local organizations (private, nonprofit, public and academic sector members) who are working on an inclusive and accurate 2020 census, is circulating a letter to the U.S. Senate for sign on urging them to include language in the next Senate COVID relief package that would extend the statutory reporting deadlines for the 2020 Census by four months. If your organization or house of worship would like to sign on, please complete this form. Signatures from individuals are also being accepted. Please respond to this sign-on opportunity by COB Wednesday, August 5.
2) Issue a Statement in opposition to the effort to shortchange census operations that count people of color, American Indians, low-income people, and people experiencing homelessness.
3) Make sure your community is counted by September 30th!
- Include 2020 Census flyers or promotional items in the food or clothing packets you distribute to those in need.
- Make an announcement, include in your religious service, or share in your newsletter – download the toolkit for more resources.
- Call Congregation Members for Wellness + Census Check-ins: In this time of crisis, we must reach out to our seniors, families, and community members to make sure they are staying safe and understand why their census response is critical for the future of our community! Ask members of your youth groups, affinity groups, or senior groups to make calls and send texts from their own homes.
4) Share 2020 Census messages over social media. Use messaging from the “Before the Knock 2020 Census Campaign Communications” Toolkit developed by ABNY and the below graphics
· We’ve been undercounted for too long. Make sure our communities are seen, heard and counted. Fill out the #2020Census today. The future of our city is determined by your count.
· No matter your stop, we’re all in this together and we need your count. Visit my2020Census.gov and complete the #2020Census today.
· Better schools, better services, better healthcare, all things in our communities impacted by each of us completing the #2020Census. Get started by visiting #my2020Census.gov today.
