Congratulations! You’ve Been Selected…
to fill out the 2020 census! Hooray!
First the bad news: Vermonters are seriously lagging behind the rest of the country in filling out the 2020 census.
Now the good news: You get to fill out the census and be counted! It’s not too late! The 2020 census deadline has been extended.
If you’re among the 50% of Vermont households that have not yet jumped at the chance to fill it out, you can do it right. this. minute. Return the forms you received in the mail, or click this link to respond by phone or online.
Who, me?
Yes, you. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived here, where you come from, whether you’re a student or senior or somewhere in between, what language you speak, or even whether you’re a US citizen. Get counted.
Just once per household, though. If someone else in your home has already filled it out, you’re off the hook.
Umm… why?
The census really matters. Like, really matters. Here are seven great reasons to jump on board and get counted. And here’s some more info about the whole process.
Who doesn’t love filling out forms? Ok, not everyone. But this one’s about as easy as it gets. It only takes about 10 minutes online or over the phone and the questions are really easy. Find instructions and an FAQ online, plus translations into many languages.
More money for VT and our region— which means better roads, schools, and public services. Every year, the federal government sends billions of tax dollars back to states to fund public services. They calculate the amount based on the number of people living in the state. And they figure that out based on — you guessed it — the census. If you don’t get counted, we get less money. It’s that simple.
More power and info for VT. Our state census count also determines how many representatives we get to send to Congress. Don’t expect any big increase, but it’s another critical reason why our count matters. The information also helps us plan for where to build hospitals and grocery stores here in the state, and helps first responders find people after disasters.
It’s confidential, safe, and secure. Your information will not be shared with law enforcement, immigration, the IRS, corporations, or even Facebook. It won’t be used to track you down or check your tax status. It’s purely about counting you, and collecting broad demographic data.
Did we mention, it’s the law?! It is. You have to do this.
You can save lives. Or at least reduce risk. If you don’t fill out the census on your own, then census workers will come knocking on your door. Fill it out now, and you won’t have a stranger showing up at your house. That’s one less stop a census worker will have to make, which will save your tax dollars and lower their risk.
(Know that if they do come a’knocking, they will stay distant and take safety precautions.)
Your descendants will thank you. Personal census responses don’t become public for 72 years. But someday, your great-great-great grandkids will be really grateful for this amazing snapshot of your life. If you’ve never checked out old census records for your family, it’s well worth it. Go check out the free 1940 census to start… as soon as you’ve completed the 2020 census, that is.
