From March 12-20, 2020, all homes in the United States will receive a postcard from the U.S. Census Bureau. The postcard is an invitation for residents to participate in the 2020 Census. Some homes will also receive a paper questionnaire. These homes are chosen at random.
People should send their answers to the U.S. Census right away.
If you do not send in your answers, you will receive a reminder. Those reminders will be sent from March 16-24, 2020.
If you still do not send in your answers, you will receive a second reminder. Those reminders will be sent from March 26-April 3, 2020.
The official Census Day is April 1, 2020. In a perfect world, every person will be done with answering the Census. In reality, most likely some people have not yet answered.
From April 8-16, 2020, a third reminder will be sent to people who have not yet answered.
From April 20-27, 2020, a final reminder will be sent to anyone who still has not answered.
From March to April, people will receive up to 5 paper notifications in the mail. That is a lot of mail. If you send in your census answers right away, you will not receive the reminders.
You are being contacted by the U.S. Census Bureau because you are important. Please make sure you are counted. It will make a big difference! Our other video, “Census 2020: You Count!” explains why.
After Census Day, from April to August 2020, Census takers will go door-to-door to collect information from residents who have not yet answered.
The federal government hires census takers to go to your home. They will wear a badge. They are not from religious organizations or sales people. They will not ask you for money or donations. The law requires them to keep information about you confidential. Only the U.S. Census Bureau will have access to your answers. No one else, not even the White House or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), can see your answers for 72 years. Your answers will become public information in the year 2092.
There are three ways to send your answers before a Census taker comes to your house. No one will come to your home if you already answered the Census:
1) Online
2) By phone
3) By mail
The postcard information will explain more on how to send your answers. The U.S. Census Bureau has committed to providing information in multiple languages, including American Sign Language. Their online form is also supposed to be accessible. They will have a TTY/TDD number as well.
Both DHHSD and MNCDHH will continue to share information about the U.S. Census as we learn more. In the meantime, we encourage you to follow our websites, newsletter, and social media.
Visit DHHSD’s website to sign up for email updates. mn.gov/deaf-hard-of-hearing/
Follow MNCDHH at mn.gov/deaf-commission/
Do you want to learn about the Census and prepare for it in person? Come to our Census 2020 Information Session. You can choose between attending a morning session or an evening session. Here is the information.
Census 2020 Information Session
Metro Deaf School
1125 Energy Park Dr.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Morning option: Saturday, February 8, 2020, 10 AM – 12 PM
Or
Evening Option: Saturday, February 22, 2020, 2 – 4 PM
