Senate District 12 Friends and Families,

This week, I challenge everyone in Senate District 12 to fill out the 2020 Census.

What is the Census?

Information collected through the Census determines how much money comes to California from the federal government to pay for our health care clinics and hospitals, schools, day care centers, roads, bridges, transportation services, fire departments and much more! The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. 

The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. The Census helps our community today, and for future generations, and the data is totally confidential. Filling out the Census is quick and simple, and can be done right now online or by phone.

Also, the United States Constitution: Article 1, Section 2, mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.  So, when you complete your census you a participating in American tradition and making history!

By now, you should have received a letter from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions and a unique code needed to submit the survey online. Grab your letter and head to the link HERE  to complete your survey in just nine questions. Make sure to include everyone in your household, including roommates, babies, and all family members – everyone counts! 

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic impacts everything, and that includes the 2020 Census.  Here are some updated details about the 2020 Census.

The 2020 Census Deadlines Extended

The completion date for data collection for the 2020 Census has officially been extended to October 31, 2020 (originally July 31, 2020).

• All census door to door field operations have been suspended until June 1, 2020.
• The Non-Response Follow-Up Period, or door-knocking phase, was delayed to August 11-October 31, 2020.  Self-responses through the web, phone or mail will continue to be accepted through the end of the census - October 31, 2020.
• The census homeless count timeframe is under review and the new dates have not been released. We need everyone to be counted!

The federal government will also ask Congress to postpone the statutory dates of delivery of the counts to the President (currently set for December 31, 2020) and of delivery of redistricting data to states (currently set for March 30, 2021) by four months, to allow for time to collect data.

For more information about the delayed 2020 Census dates, visit: HERE

Someone May Come to Your Door if You Do Not Respond

The Non-Response Follow-Up, or door knocking phase, for most households is now set to begin on August 11, 2020 for households that have not self-responded. The end date is October 31, 2020. Early field operations were planned for college towns, places without broadband, and places that use P.O. Boxes, without mail addresses, but those door to door field operations were suspended until June 1, 2020.

Update on Counting College Students

When possible, students should be counted at their school residence, even if they are temporarily elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some schools have opted to hand their records of students directly to the US Census Bureau (US Census Bureau) to make things easier. Conversations continue regarding alternatives for counting students with no school addresses.

Safe US Census Workers

US Census Bureau has stated that their workforce is working remotely and that they will hold trainings over the web or over the phone for new workers they are bringing on boarding.

Counting Seniors at Nursing Homes

Nursing homes, college dorms, prisons and other institutional living facilities are offered several ways to respond by the US Census Bureau, one of which is having the facility report information on all people housed there directly to the US Census Bureau. The US Census Bureau is in the process of contacting all institutional living facilities who have requested in-person visits and asking them to consider eResponse or other ways to minimize contact with census staff.

Counting Homeless People

As originally planned, the homeless census count consists of a 3-day operation in which the US Census Bureau gathers information in person or through administrative records from people staying or being serviced at homeless shelters, soup kitchens and other service providers; in addition to going to outdoor locations where homeless people live & gather and getting in-person responses. The US Census Bureau has been working with local governments and service providers for several months to prepare for this 3-day operation. It was initially scheduled for March 30 - April 1, but was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

          Finally, if you have questions about filling out the 2020 Census, about privacy, or any other questions, please call my office.  Don’t forget, you fill out the 2020 Census so that our communities receive the right amount of federal funds.  If we are undercounted, we all lose out on valuable resources that we are entitled to and desperately need.   

Fill out your 2020 Census and be counted today!

Stay safe and be well,

Senator Anna M. Caballero