New York: There is a little more than 3 weeks before the end of the 2020 Census. Without a complete census count, New York City is set to potentially lose billions for Covid-19 relief and up to two seats in Congress and the Electoral College, which decides the Presidency. NYC Census Director Julie Menin and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department released the following statement:
“Time is running out for New Yorkers to complete the 2020 Census. As of Aug 30, we have just 30 days left to be counted because Donald Trump, in an attempt to steal the census and the money and power that it brings, cut the census by a month. Over the next month, we will wage a campaign that uses every tool at our disposal including neighborhood challenges, major contests that feature prizes from Seamless, the Museum of Modern Art, Citi Bike, and Lyft, canvassing, census form assistance at food distribution sites, innovative advertising campaigns across TV and mobile, phone banking, and work with a coalition of community-based organizations, service providers, and major institutions like our libraries that are deeply trusted by communities across the City. We’ve reached the 25 mile-marker of the marathon and we are ready to sprint to the finish line, bringing every New Yorker with us.”
NYC continues to close the gap of self-response rate. As of August 27, its self-response rate is 57.3%, and the nation’s is 64.6%. In 2010, there was approximately a 14 point gap between New York City’s census self-response rate and the nation’s. A recent study found that NYC’s self-response rate increased the most out of any other city in the country in the last 3 months.
The census is easy, safe, and confidential. The census is 10 simple questions that take less than 10 minutes to complete. All New Yorkers can easily self-respond now online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 1-844-330-2020. The census does not ask about immigration, citizenship, criminal history, or income. By law, all census responses are completely confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including any immigration authorities, tax authorities, any law enforcement authorities, or even landlords.
Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau is conducting NRFU (Non-Response Follow-Up). NRFU is when census takers visit all the homes that have not yet completed the census.
