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Bilingual commentary — Deadline approaching to compete Census, register to vote

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U.S. Census response, voting registration and early ballots are vital tools to protect your voice, American Democracy

By Frank X. Moraga • AmigosNAZ.com

As the nation pauses to honor the sacrifices of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, there can be no better example of how America reacted to the tragic events that day with a renewed sense of patriotism and dedication to the phrase “Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.”

America came together following that tragic day, as we need to come together again to honor their sacrifices by taking part in American Democracy by filling out U.S. Census forms by Sept. 30, 2020 and doing everything possible to make sure your VOTE COUNTS in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election

During the next few weeks we will highlight the need for our reading audience to take action as these deadlines rapidly approach.

Click here to see the Self-Response Rates Map for Northern Arizona and the rest of the United States.

 

Early U.S. Census deadlines during time of Coronavirus Pandemic threaten voice of communities of colors

The timeline has been moved up for the final U.S. Census count, with the deadline set for Sept. 30, 2020.

The early deadline, especially during this time of Coronavirus shelter-at-home orders during 2020, has put a tremendous strain on the men and women in charge of going out to communities of color and gather information to make sure we have an accurate count of our communities.

Census results are used to determine how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives. It is also used to determine the amount of federal funding for schools, health care, public safety, roads and infrastructure, Medicare/Medicaid and other social services.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has caused a delay in getting Census workers from going door-to-door to help families fill out their forms. And while many affluent communities have been able to easily go to https://my2020census.gov to fill out their forms online, the digital divide continues to hinder communities of color from taking part in the Census process.

The time is now for community members and organizations to reach out to the public, stress the importance of the Census to increase our Census response rate. Check with your friends, family members and others and make sure their their voice is counted.

Currently, 

  • Coconino County has a 44.3 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 11, 2020, down from 51.0 percent in 2010
  • The Navajo Nation Reservation has an 19.3 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 11, 2020, down from 29.4 percent in 2010
  • The Hopi Reservation has a 17.0 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 11, 2020
  • Arizona has a 62.4 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 11, 2020, up from 61.3 percent in 2010
  • Overall, the United States has a National self-response rate of 65.7 percent as of Sept. 11, 2020, down from 66.5 percent in 2010

Overall, 74 percent of Arizona households have been counted in the 2020 Census (self-response and door-to-door operations), which which puts Arizona ahead only of Alabama, Georgia and New Mexico.

So come on folks. Let’s get going, help your friends, neighbors and communities and fill out your forms before Sept. 30, 2020.

Facts to remember about the Census:

  • Count everyone who is living in your house on or after 04/01/20 on your census form
  • The census DOES NOT ask about citizenship
  • All information collected is required BY LAW to be kept confidential
  • Make sure to include children and babies when filling out your census
  • EVERYONE COUNTS!

***

Get ready for ELECTION SEASON!!!

As if Fall isn’t busy enough, we also have a General Election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Be sure to check if:

  • Are you registered to vote?
  • Have you checked your voter status?
  • Have you changed your registration?

Important links:

Important dates:

  • Last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 5, 2020.
  • Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020.
  • Last day to request early ballot by mails Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.
  • Last day to vote early in person is Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Due to concerns with in-person voting during the Coronavirus Pandemic, potential intentional delays with the U.S. Postal Service and other ongoing voter disfranchisement efforts, ELECTION DAY has become ELECTION SEASON.

The time is now to get your VOTING PLAN in order.

Thank you for taking Democracy in your hands.

— Frank X. Moraga, editor/publisher of AmigosNAZ, has served as business editor, director of diversity, city beat and environmental reporter in the newspaper industry.