Taking Action: Post Census Signs in Your Community
Montana's self-response rate to the 2020 Census is currently 57.3 percent, below the national average of 63.9 percent. Each newsletter we are featuring an idea you can use to help increase Montana's self-response rate to the Census.
Getting the word out in every way is key to increasing Montana’s 2020 Census response. One way of communicating is posting signs with a short Census message at businesses, government buildings and schools. Even residential yard signs can help remind residents to complete the Census.
For example, Town Pump partnered with the state to add a Census message to every one of its digital signs at gas stations. Theirs is a great example of a quick message to raise community awareness. With only 42 days left to self-respond, adding a Census sign is a safe, quick way to remind residents who have yet to complete the 2020 Census form.
The State Complete Count Committee has lots of ideas for crafting a message. You can check them out HERE!
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CENSUS STORY OF THE WEEK
Verifying the Census Worker at the Door
 The U.S. Census Bureau has said that Census workers started going door-to-door to visit households that have not already responded to the 2020 Census. These door-to-door operations, called non-response follow-up, started August 11 and will end sometime close to September 30 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the following to verify their identity:
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First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
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If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a Census Bureau representative. If it's determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau, contact your local police department.
If you’re unsure, it’s always better to verify the identity of the person who comes to the door before answering questions.
PARTNERS IN ACTION
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The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and libraries across the state partnered with the State Complete Count Committee to distribute 50,000 flyers through summer food and reading programs. The two-sided, full-color flyers were delivered to children at 277 Summer Food Service Programs sites and at 60 public libraries during summer reading sessions. Letting Montana kids know they should be counted, too, is a great way for these partners to work together to get more Montanans counted in the 2020 Census! |
An accurate and complete count of all Montanans is critical for determining the federal funding distributed to the state – overall, more than $2 billion from 300 federal programs is allocated back to Montana based on Census information. The Census count also shapes local voting and school districts, and it determines whether Montana will receive a second seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Montanans who have not yet responded to the 2020 Census can do so by going to MY2020CENSUS.GOV, by calling 1-844-330-2020, or by mailing in their Census form if they received one in the mail.
IN THE NEWS
Rural Montana poses a challenge for U.S. Census Bureau – SIDNEY HERALD
Commerce Department using COVID Funds for Census Outreach – KGVO
States scramble as low census response rates threaten political power – THE HILL
People can apply for part-time jobs with U.S. Census Bureau – HAVRE DAILY NEWS
Montana Congressional Delegation Pushes for Census Extension – MTPR
Census Takers to visit non-responding households in Montana – MTN NEWS
Census officials face subpoenas if they refuse interviews – ASSOCIATED PRESS
IMPORTANT DATES
These events are current as of the publication of this newsletter, but are subject to change as the U.S. Census Bureau revises its operations.
March 12 – September 30: Self-response Phase
April 2 – September 3: Group Quarters Counting (e-response and paper)
July 1 – September 3: In-person Group Quarters Counting
August 7: Update/Leave Operations Ended
July 31 – September 16: The U.S. Census Bureau has said it will provide Mobile Questionnaire Assistance to locations allowing residents to complete the Census on site
August 11 – September 30: Non-response follow-up (door-to-door) operations
September 3 – 28: Counting at Transitory Locations such as RV parks, campgrounds, and hotels if people do not usually live elsewhere
September 22 – 24: Operations to count those experiencing homeless outdoors and at service-based locations
December 31, 2020: Deliver Census Count to the President
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
Montana Customized Census 2020 Resources
U.S. Census Bureau YouTube Channel
U.S. Census Bureau Outreach Materials
U.S. Census Bureau PSA Toolkit
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
Jihan Khalaf
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Jihan.k.khalaf@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-439-3383
Laurie Cipriano
Public Information Officer
Email: laurie.a.cipriano@2020census.gov
Phone: (720) 891- 2497 (Colorado)
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