2020 CENSUS News:
Today, the Census 2020 kicks off online as part of a process taking several months meant to ensure everyone is counted.
Locally, Assistant to the County Manager Linda Matteson conducts special projects for Manger Harry Burgess and the census project is one of those projects.
All 33 counties and 23 Tribal governments will participate to make sure New Mexico is represented for the count.
“As part of the effort to ensure an accurate count in New Mexico, the State awarded all counties grant funds,” Matteson said. “One of the requirements was to form a local Complete Count Committee.”
The County Council in October 2019, appointed seven members of the community, representing diverse groups such as Lab, schools (LAPS and UNM-LA), non-profit organizations and churches.
The program is still seeking to hire census takers. The Census Bureau calls the enumerators and interested persons should contact the Census Bureau directly at https://www.2020census.gov/en/jobs, or call the Job line at 1-855-JOB-2020 (1-855-562-2020).
Why is it so important to make sure you get counted?
“The distribution of more than $675 Billion of federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on census data,” Matteson said. “The results of the Census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state gets. Each resident in New Mexico who gets counted or not is equal to approximately $5,750/year to the state. For the first time in history you will be able to fill out your census survey online. Other options include by phone or on paper.”
The online system went live March 12, and invitations to participate are starting to arrive in the mail. If possible, it is best to respond online or by phone, to save the time, effort and costs of in-person visits to homes later in the process.
According to Census information, the Constitution mandates this count of all persons living in the US regardless of citizenship. There is no citizenship question on the census survey, and the survey is only 10 questions that takes about 10 minutes to answer.
These survey results benefit programs for every age and in every state.
The count is done every 10 years, so your answers today will ensure funding for an entire decade. So please, take your time to do your civic duty to provide information for your local government to help determine the number of elected representatives and to make a better future for us all.
Just visit Census2020.gov or call 1-844-330-2020. Language support assistance for completing the survey also is available.
As we are required to remain in our homes, with the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a constructive activity to do with your time, that makes a difference for our state.
