IT'S CENSUS DAY! TIME TO GET SOCIAL WITH THE 2020 CENSUS
SHARE WHY THE 2020 CENSUS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY AND CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME
WHO: We are asking YOU to post content about the 2020 Census on your social media channels today. The State Complete Count Committee is asking for your assistance promoting that EVERY Montanan needs to fill out their Census form in order to help the state we love for the next decade. Tag your friends and family to challenge them to post their own Census content.
WHAT: Post a photo or video of you filling out your 2020 Census form, with your Census invitation, or any other creative Census-related content. Include a message about why it’s important to you and EVERYONE in Montana to be counted! Remember don’t publish content which may show your personal information such as your answers or address.
WHEN: On or around April 1 which is Census Day across the nation.
WHERE: Post to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or any other social media channel where you have followers and engagement.
HOW: Take a selfie or have someone video/photograph you on a smartphone. Post it to your social media channels and hyperlink my2020census.gov and/or promote the phone number 1-844-330-2020 to self-respond to the Census. Write out your message and use the hashtags #MontanaCensus2020 #makeitcount #Census2020
WHY: Sharing 2020 Census content on your social media is a great way to act as a trusted community leader and encourage others to fill out their form. The Decennial Census happens only once every 10 years and affects Montana’s federal funding, representation in the U.S. Congress and state Legislature, and provides accurate data for future decision making.
Please use the social media examples below and some of the talking points as inspiration for your content.
Thank you again for your assistance in helping Montana obtain a complete count!
SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT IDEAS
Tweet Example:
[PHOTO OF YOU HOLDING YOUR CENSUS INVITATION]
"I filled out my #2020Census to make sure Montana communities have the resources and representation we deserve. #MontanaCensus2020 #makeitcount"
Facebook Example:
[VIDEO OF YOUR FAMILY FILLING OUT THE CENSUS TOGETHER]
"I'm practicing social distancing, keeping my family safe and healthy at home, and responding to the #2020Census online at my2020census.gov. The Census is critical for my health and the health of my community for the next decade. #Montanacensus2020 #makeitcount #socialdistancing"
Instagram Example:
[PHOTO OF YOU FILLING OUT THE CENSUS ONLINE]
"I'm filling out my #2020Census online at my2020census.gov to keep Montana healthy! Did you know: Montana receives more than $1 billion each year in federal funding for healthcare programs alone?#MontanaCensus2020 #makeitcount #Census2020"
KEY MESSAGES
Montana 2020 Census: Make it Count
- Responding to the Census is quick, easy and safe.
- Don't wait for your official invitation, fill out your Census today at my2020census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020.
- Counting everyone in Montana is critical because it determines the state’s share of federal funding over the next decade, it shapes local voting districts, and it determines whether Montana will get another representative in Congress.
- Montana receives an estimated $2 billion in federal funds each year based on Census data.
- For every Montana resident counted, a Census study estimates the state will receive $20,000 over the decade for things like healthcare, schools, highways, needs-based support and more.
- Missing only one resident means that a community misses $20,000 of its fair share of federal funding.
- Communities rely on Census data to plan for the future.
- The Census shapes our voting districts – including for local school boards and the Legislature.
- The Census will determine whether Montana gains back a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Montana is predicted to gain another congressperson – but only through a complete count of all the state’s residents.
- Responding to the Census once every decade matters today and for the next ten years. Make it count, Montana!
For more information about the 2020 Census, visit CENSUS.MT.GOV.
 Complete the 2020 Census Now
Filling out the Census is quick, easy, and safe. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and your information and privacy are protected by federal law.
The 2020 Census is now live and available to fill out online at my2020census.gov.
The 2020 Census can also be completed by phone in the following languages or by TDD:
 With the U.S. Census Bureau suspending all field operations until April 15,and potentially later, it means that households across Montana, especially those that are in rural locations or have a P.O. box, will not receive any Census material until the Census Bureau restarts their door-to-door operations. This does not mean that you should wait to fill out your form, because even if you have not received your invitation to participate and do not have your 12-digit Census Id you can still fill out your form now!
Students living away from home at school should be counted at school, even if they are temporarily elsewhere due to the COVID-19 campus closures. Colleges and universities are being asked to contact their students to remind them to respond. For more information, click HERE.
Steps You Can Take to Ensure a Complete Count for Montana
- Promote my2020census.gov and 1-844-330-2020 for people to fill out their Census form online or by phone.
- Post a picture with Census content on your social media to let your family, friends, and followers know that you're counted in the 2020 Census.
- Get involved with your community’s Complete Count Committee (CCC). CCC's are volunteer committees established within communities to increase awareness and motivate the public to respond to the 2020 Census. A map of CCC's in Montana can be found HERE.
- Include Census information in mailings that you're sending out. To request free materials be mailed to you contact us HERE.
- Talk about the Census and become a trusted voice on the importance of a complete count. As a community member that people trust, your support of the 2020 Census can help other people see the benefit of filling out their 2020 Census form.
- Distribute the Montana public service announcements (PSA) on personal or business social media platforms, websites, newsletters, or other digital communication channels.
Since 1930, Census Day has been April 1. Census Day is observed nationwide and is a key reference date for the 2020 Census. Even if you have not received an invitation you can still fill out your form online or by phone at without a Census ID.
Remember, 2020 Census responses will continue to be collected after April 1 but by filling out your form today, you are making it count for Montana.
IMPORTANT DATES
These events are current as of April 1, 2020, but are subject to change as the U.S. Census Bureau revises its operations in response to COVID-19. Check with event organizers regarding local events and go to 2020CENSUS.GOV for the latest U.S. Census Bureau operations updates.
April 1: Census Day!
This is a key reference date when completing the 2020 Census.
April 2 at noon: Montana State Complete Count Committee Weekly Conference Call
This brief, under 30 minute call, is a chance to get updates from the state as well as the U.S. Census Bureau, to learn about outreach happening statewide, ask questions, and brainstorm with others about Census promotional ideas.
Call: 1- 877- 273- 4202
Enter the Conference Room Number: 471- 834- 192
March 12 - August 14: Self Response Phase
Montana households will receive official Census Bureau materials with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. The public is strongly encouraged to respond online.
April 15: U.S. Census Bureau field operations currently scheduled to resume.
April 29 - May 1: Service Based Enumeration
The Census Bureau is working with service providers at soup kitchens, shelters, and regularly scheduled food vans to count people they may serve.
April 16 - June 16: Group Quarters Enumeration
The Census Bureau is encouraging administrators of facilities like nursing homes, prisons, and student housing to choose an option for counting their residents that requires less in-person contact.
May 7 - August 14: Nonresponse Followup (NRFU)
Census takers will follow up with household that haven't self-responded responded online, by phone, or by mail.
December 31, 2020: Deliver Apportionment Count to the President
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
IN THE NEWS
Press Release: Self-Responding to the 2020 Census is More Important than Ever for Montana
Press Release: Census Bureau Update on 2020 Census Field Operations
Census 2020: Be Counted - CHAR-KOOSTA NEWS
IT JUST MAKES COMMON “CENSUS"- KSEN
Census Bureau Delays Deadline for 2020 Count by 2 Weeks - NEW YORK TIMES
Take a few minutes, complete the census - BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE
Census: 10 minutes of your time will help shape Montana's next 10 years - MISSOULA CURRENT
Spread of COVID-19 delays US Census operations - KULR-TV
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT 2020 CENSUS OPERATIONS AND ENUMERATION?
To be routed to your local U.S. Census Bureau office Call
855-562-2020 select option 3, and enter your zip code.
Reach Out to a Montana Census 2020 Partnership Specialist.
Jeri Bucy
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: jeri.bucy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2227
Chance Gillette
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Chance.j.gillette@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-850-0199
Jihan Khalaf
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Jihan.k.khalaf@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-439-3383
Colleen M. McCarthy
Montana Partnership Specialist U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Colleen.M.McCarthy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2226
For Media Requests Please Contact:
Josh Manning
Media Specialist
Dallas Regional Census Office, US Census Bureau
Email: joshua.manning@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 422-6475
HAVE YOUR CENSUS NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
Have you been working on community outreach for the Census? Or do you have a success story you'd like to share? Contact us HERE for a chance to be published in the next newsletter and have your next digital event displayed on the 2020 Census Events Calendar at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
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