Kentucky residents can expect notices in their mailboxes beginning next week with information on filling out the 2020 Census questionnaire. There are new options for this census.
The once-in-10-year count of everyone living in the United States is shifting into high gear, with letters from the U.S. Census Bureau expected to arrive in mailboxes across the nation March 12-20.
The letters will have detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.
Keith Sanders is chair of the Daviess County Complete Count Committee,which has been meeting since January 2019. He said the committee has developed strategies to reach sometimes undercounted groups, such as non-citizens and the elderly, because the results affect everyone.
“It determines the number of representatives each state has in Congress. So that’s the first thing that it does, which affects all of us, obviously," said SanderS. "Secondly, it’s one of the key metrics in determining how much federal resources come into a state.”
Sanders said the outreach includes youth programs, such as Junior Achievement that works with 4,500 children in kindergarten through high school.
“There will be a small portion of their time set aside to talk about the census. Children will be given ‘I count’ stickers," said Sanders. "There’ll be a video shown in the classroom about the census challenge and children will be encouraged to go home and tell their parents they want to be counted.”
Other outreach efforts will also include community groups, such as Boys & Girls Clubs.
This is the first time U.S. residents will be able to respondto the census online or by phone, in addition to paper forms.
The Census form does not include questions about citizenship or salary, and does not ask for a social security number.
