1. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The 2020 Census: How You Can Help Promote an Accurate Count

2. Census background
The census is an official population count of all United States residents
Conducted every ten years, as required by the Constitution, Art. I, Sect. 2
Run by the U.S. Census Bureau, a unit of the Department of Commerce
Data collection starts in April of years that end in “0.”

3. Why the census matters
Census data is used for a variety of important decisions, including:
Apportioning congressional seats
Redistricting legislative districts
Voting rights enforcement
Federal funding decisions

4. Problems with past censuses
Past censuses have routinely undercounted certain groups, including:
African Americans and other minorities – almost 1.5 Million Black and Hispanics missed in 2010
Non-native English speakers
Young children
Home renters –Home OWNERS were slightly over counted in 2010
Low-income individuals

5. Problems with past censuses
Past censuses have routinely undercounted certain groups, including:
African Americans and other minorities
Non-native English speakers
Young children
Home renters
Low-income individuals

6. 2020 census preparations Funding Staffing Digitization
Experts are concerned that the Census Bureau is unprepared for the 2020 census due to uncertainty and concerns surrounding:
Funding
Staffing
Digitization

7. Funding issues
For the first time in modern history, Congress capped the overall cost of the census at the beginning of the decade
The budget should be increasing as the Census Bureau ramps up its preparations for 2020, but instead the Administration cut back on the previous Administration’s 2017 budget request for the Bureau
The Census Bureau has cancelled 2 of 3 field tests and delayed opening regional offices

8. Staffing issues
The Census Bureau has a staffing shortage, thanks in part to the January 2017 hiring freeze
Though the freeze has been lifted, more staffing cuts are coming
As of April 2017, 157 jobs at the Bureau were vacant
The Census Bureau Director resigned in May 2017, and a replacement has not been appointed

9. Digitization
Past censuses relied heavily on paper census forms and door-to-door visits
Change for Census 2020
80% of household will initially be asked to complete survey online
If no response, a paper census form will be mailed
20% of households will initially be mailed paper census forms
Digitization will likely present issues for those who lack internet or phone access
(As of Oct 2017), 85% of computer systems were either incomplete or partially complete
Many entities have questions about Testing and Security issues

10. How the Delta Chapters can help work towards an accurate census count
Educate community members about the importance of the census.
Conduct outreach on the digitization of the census.
Reach out to members of Congress to express support for adequate Census Bureau funding.
Consider partnering with other local organizations and state and local governments to promote the census.
Urge state and local governments to participate in the Local Update of Census Addresses Program.

11. Questions?
NAACP OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL 4805 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD