This Spring, you really do not have an excuse to not fill out the 2020 Census. You are at home. That piece of mail is staring you in the face, but you have not even opened it yet! Why not? Maybe you really do not even know what it is for. Maybe you are overwhelmed by yet another thing to deal with. Let’s answer some questions so you can understand what exactly the 2020 Census is and why it is so important to get an accurate count of everybody in our big, diverse country.
Many people are experiencing unemployment now due to the COVID-19 crisis. There are jobs associated with the 2020 census, although most are delayed right now until social distancing measures are lifted. Information about these jobs can be found at the end of this article.
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What Is The 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories – Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The census is mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution which states “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers”.
Here are some more details explaining what the census is:
How Often Is The Census Conducted?
The census is conducted every ten years. That is because the United States Constitution mandates that it occur every ten years. Also, it is a huge undertaking so it would be hard to do if more often than every ten years. In fact, the census is the largest mobilization and operation conducted in the United States and requires years of research, planning, and development of methods and infrastructure to ensure an accurate and complete count.
Who Conducts The Census?
The United States Census Bureau is the nonpartisan government agency responsible for conducting the census every ten years. The Census Bureau’s mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
How Is The 2020 Census Different Than Past Censuses?
Per census.gov, the following changes have been made to make the 2020 census for efficiency:
- Using the Internet to increase self-response.
- Using existing government data sources to answer census questions and reduce follow-up workload.
- Automating operations to increase productivity and reduce staff and offices.
- Using existing maps and addresses to reflect changes rather than walking every block in every neighborhood in the country.
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When Should You Receive My Census Form?
You should have received your official Census Bureau mail regarding the 2020 census form between March 12 & March 20. The official mailing contains detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. Your letter will contain a 12-digit census ID. The letter will also instruct you to go to www.my2020census.gov. All you have to do once you are on this website is click “start questionnaire,” enter your census ID and then answer all the questions about your name, address, who lives in your household, etc.
What To Do If You Have Not Received Your Census Form?
No worries, you can still go online to complete the 2020 census. Just go to the website https://my2020census.gov/ and navigate to the “if you do not have a Census ID, click here” button on the login page. There are a few extra questions you will need to answer, but then you can complete the census.
What Is Census Day?
Census Day is April 1st and is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond on behalf of your household home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020. Basically, you should be counted in the home where you should be counted where you are living and sleeping most of the time as of April 1, 2020.
What Do You Have To Do To Complete Census?
Simply answer questions about each person living in your house as of April 1st ‘Census Day’.
Will The Census Ask If I Am A U.S. Citizen?
No, it will not.
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Why Is The 2020 Census Important?
The results are used to determine how much funding local communities receive for key public services and how many seats each state gets in Congress. State and local officials also use census counts to draw boundaries for congressional, state legislative, and school districts. After all, a desolate piece of the country should not receive the same funding as a crowded city. The dollars go to where the numbers are.
How Is COVID-19 Affecting the 2020 Census
The timeline has been adjusted due to the COVID-19 crisis. Everyone was to have until July 31st to complete their census, but that deadline has been extended until August 14th.
What Will Happen If I Do Not Complete My Census?
While technically you have until August 14, 2020, to complete your census, census workers were to start the Nonresponse Follow Up process on May 13th. That date has been delayed until May 28th. At that time, the Nonresponse Follow Up process will start. Census takers will interview households in person that have not responded online, by phone, or by mail.
What Are The Census Jobs?
There are several types of temporary jobs associated with the 2020 Census including Census Takers, Census Field Supervisors, Recruiting Assistants, Clerks, and Office Operations Supervisors. These jobs are a wonderful opportunity for those looking to support your community with a flexible job that provides a competitive wage. The whole country needs to be accounted for. That is a lot of places which means we need a lot of workers to get these numbers calculated correctly.
How To Get A Census Job?
If you are a U.S. Citizen over 18 years old with a valid Social Security number and email address who speaks English (being able to speak more languages is a definite advantage), then all you need to do is is fill out this online application.
When Will The Census Delivered To The President?
The Census is delivered by December 31, 2020. That deadline has not been extended at this time.
Since we only do the census every ten years, we often forget how the census operates and why it is so important. Knowing how simple the process is, especially now that we can complete it online, makes it something we should all do as soon as possible. After all, most of us are under stay at home orders and should be able to accomplish this task quickly. We are also helping in social distancing efforts by not requiring census workers to come to our houses to interview. It’s a win-win! So get your 2020 census completed today!
WANT TO READ MORE?
While you are hanging out at home during social distancing, learn how to use the Marco Polo app by reading ‘Marco Polo: What It Is And How To Use The App”
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