Representative Jimmy Gomez (D – CA), with the backing of the Trump administration, introduced legislation earlier this year to push back the deadline for completion of the 2020 census. Now the administration, in an attempt to manipulate the outcome for political reasons, has determined data collection online, by phone, and by door-to-door activities will end September 30^th, and the Census Bureau will submit the population count to the president by December 31^.

Democrats and civil rights organizations were quick to criticize this latest effort by Trump to manipulate the outcome of the census. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) urged Congress to extend the deadline because of the coronavirus pandemic. “This is another deliberative attempt to undercount communities of color, immigrants, Native Americans, and other hard –to –reach groups,” he said. “It is clear that the Trump Administration doesn’t want an accurate and full account. They want to deprive these communities of both political power and federal dollars for partisan gain.”

While it was reported that, as of Monday, about 93 million households, or nearly 63% of the country, have responded to the census, it is critical for everyone to make sure they are counted. The outcome of arguments regarding the deadline dates may be uncertain , so it is necessary to make sure you are counted as soon as possible.

The following website contains all the information you need for making sure you are counted.

https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html

You may do so on the Internet, by phone or by mail. All the necessary details for each method are listed there. If you know someone who has not been counted and does not have access to the Internet, please help by providing the appropriate information to them.

#womensvoicesmedia