While we continue to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot forget that we are in the midst of an important United States Census.
Every 10 years since 1790, the United States has undertaken the monumental task of counting the population. An accurate Census count is very important as the data obtained is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives and to draw congressional and state legislative districts. Each year, Census data helps determine federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction and education. New Jersey lost millions of dollars in funding following the last Census due to the low response rate.
Beginning Aug. 11, Census takers will begin knocking on the doors of those who have not yet responded to the Census survey. This door to door Census push will continue through Sept. 30. The law says that we all need to complete the Census. But the Census Bureau is also required by law to protect all of your answers. Your response is used only to produce statistics.
The Census Bureau cannot disclose any personal information to any other government agency at any level, including ICE and the police. The Census Bureau employees take a lifetime oath to keep Census data confidential and the punishment for violating this oath is five years in jail or a fine of $250,000.
The goal of the 2020 Census is a complete and accurate count of everyone living in the United States and its five territories. The 2020 Census asks a few simple questions about you and everyone who was living with you on April 1, 2020. The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live and so much more. Getting an accurate count of our population will ensure we get our fair share of federal funding over the next 10 years.
You can eliminate the need for Census takers to follow up in person by responding to the Census online or by phone. The quickest way to respond is online at my2020census.gov with your Census ID, which easily links your response with your address. However, you can respond without a Census ID and still be linked with your address.
You can also complete your Census survey by phone with customer service representatives available every day from 7a.m. to 2 a.m. Customer service representatives are available in English at 844-330-2020 and in Spanish at 844-468-2020. A dozen other languages are available and can be found at my2020census.gov at the language support page.
As of Aug. 2, the New Jersey response rate is 64.96 percent. Camden County’s response rate is 66.8 percent and Voorhees Township’s response rate is 71.0 percent.
Be on the lookout for scams. The Census Bureau will never ask you for your full Social Security number, your bank account or credit card numbers, anything on behalf of a political party or for money or donations.
If you have not yet completed your Census form, please do so as soon as possible. If you have questions, visit my2020census.gov or call the Census Bureau at (884) 330-2020.
** Due to COVID-19, kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year will not be in person and will take place on-line. Any child who will turn five years of age on or before October 1, 2020 is eligible for kindergarten admission in September 2020. You must complete the pre-registration application at https://genesis.voorhees.k12.us/genesis/openReg. A staff member will contact you for additional information after the pre-registration is complete. For more information, visit https://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us.
