By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor and Kristen Diaz, Pennsauken 2020 Census Complete Count Committee

During Governor Murphy’s March 28 briefing about the coronavirus outbreak in New Jersey, he took a moment to stress the importance of participating in the 2020 Census.

“So much of what we get from Washington is determined by the Census. We know we were undercounted in 2010, and because of that, right now, we’re leaving critical federal aid on the table,” said Governor Murphy. “So take a moment, please go online to 2020Census.gov and make sure you are counted in the Census.”

The 2020 Census isn’t just about how many people live in a community. Data collected from the Census plays a crucial role in congressional representation, determining how many seats New Jersey has in the House of Representatives. It identifies how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to communities throughout the country for critical programs and services, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. Census data is also invaluable to businesses, as they use it to make decisions on where to open new locations; where to expand operations; where to recruit employees: and which products and services to offer.

Is The 2020 Census Safe?

Is the Census safe? It’s an important question for a lot of people. Thankfully, the answer is yes. Here’s why.

The Census will not ask about anyone’s citizenship, immigration, or criminal status, nor does it require you to submit your Social Security number or banking information. Any information you share with a Census Bureau employee is protected by Title 13. It cannot be shared with any other government agencies including the FBI, CIA, or ICE; it also cannot be shared with local law enforcement or property managers.

Census Bureau employees take an oath for life that they will not disclose any private information. That means that even after they stop working for the Census Bureau, they cannot share information they learned while working there.  In order to deter anyone from breaking this oath, there is a fine of up to $250,000 and/or five years in prison for anyone who shares protected information.

Once Census information is entered into the computer, whether you enter it yourself or you speak with a Census Bureau agent and they enter it for you, your personal information is encrypted. No one will be able to read your name, address, or other identifying information until 72 years later. In 2092, that information will be available to the public so that your descendants will be able to research their ancestry.

Finally, information gathered by the 2020 Census is for data analysis, not politics. It’s compiled into statistics, such as, “so many people in Camden County own their own homes;” or “this percentage of people in New Jersey live in households with three generations.” These statistics help local government, non-profits, and service organizations decide how many and what kinds of services are needed in each town and area.

Easy Ways To Complete The Census

As so many residents are currently sequestered as part of the “Stay at Home” Executive Order, it’s the perfect time to complete the 2020 Census. Most Pennsauken residents have received a post card from the Census Bureau that contained an individual Census ID so that they can fill it out online at My2020Census.gov.

Don’t have internet access? You can complete the 2020 Census over the phone in about 10 minutes. The call is toll free and there are over a dozen language lines, so you can use your native tongue to participate.

Here are just some of the options available:

• English: (844) 330-2020
• Spanish: (844) 468-2020
• Vietnamese: (844) 461-2020
• Chinese (Mandarin): (844) 391-2020
• Chinese (Cantonese): (844) 398-2020

If you’re unable to complete the 2020 Census online or by using the phone, you’ll receive a paper questionnaire soon, so you can complete it and mail it back.

Remember, if you self-respond, your address will be taken off the list of residences for Census Takers to visit in the months of May, June, July, and August.

The 2020 Census is extremely important, so much so that you’re required to do so by law. The 2020 Census is safe; your answers are kept completely confidential. The 2020 Census is easy; you can do it online, over the phone, by mail, or when a Census worker visits.

So don’t delay! Pennsauken counts! For more information, visit 2020Census.gov.