The U.S. Census Bureau has extended its suspension of field operations through April 15. The original suspension had been set to expire on April 1, Census Day. For Haines, this means another delay in receiving hard copies of the census response form.
The goal of the decennial census, as stated on the Census Bureau’s website, is “a complete and accurate count of everyone living in the United States and its five territories” as of April 1. This count is used to determine the way federal funds are distributed among states and local communities and the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s also used to redraw legislative districts and impacts decisions about where to build infrastructure ranging from schools to grocery stores.
“There is no greater economic development tool than getting an accurate count in the census,” said Haines Economic Development Corporation executive director Margaret Friedenauer, who is helping with local outreach.
Due to the suspension of field operations, “we did not get our individual census forms in Haines,” Friedenauer said. Haines residents have mailing addresses distinct from their physical addresses. Because of this, prior to the suspension of operations, the plan had been for field workers to go door to door in the community, distributing hard copies of census response forms that include a 12-digit code unique to each household. People would have had the option of responding by mailing in the form, or virtually by phone or online.
“Even though we didn’t get (the forms), anyone can go online and submit a census response,” Friedenauer said. Instead of a unique, 12-digit code, individuals will be asked to provide their physical address as a mechanism to prevent double counting. People can also respond over the phone.
“Right now, while everyone is trapped at home, is a great time to do it,” Friedenauer said. “It took me 10 minutes.”
The current response rate for Haines is 1.4%, well below the statewide and nationwide response rates, which are 20.8% and 34.7% respectively.
The Census Bureau has been pushing online and over-the-phone response to reduce the need for workers in the field. People wishing to complete the census online can go to my2020census.gov. To call in, phone 844-330-2020 , lines are open between 3.00 a.m. and 10p.m. Alaska time.
Under the current census schedule, which was released prior to the spread of COVID-19, census workers were scheduled to begin visiting households in early May to make sure those who have yet to respond are counted. The week of July 26 is, currently, the final week for census responses. This timeline might change if pandemic concerns persist.