U.S. Census response, voting registration and early ballots are vital tools to protect your voice, American Democracy
By Frank X. Moraga • AmigosNAZ.com
The year 2020 will go down as one of the most challenging years this nation has faced. A continuing pandemic, large nationwide demonstrations for civil rights, a contentious election campaign season — all during a time when the nation was attempting to complete the 2020 Census
Now, there is word that the Sept. 30 deadline to complete the Census may be pushed back to its original Oct. 31, 2020 pandemic-altered deadline: Please see — CNN — Federal judge orders nationwide 2020 census counting to continue through October 31.
But since the ruling is subject to appeal, and nothing else appears predictable during 2020, it would be best to continue to fill out those Census forms as quickly as possible.
The time is now to fill out U.S. Census forms by Sept. 30, 2020 and also do everything possible to make sure your VOTE COUNTS in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election
Remember, the higher the response rate, the better off the region will be when receiving federal funding for education, roads, health care, public safety and other projects. Higher Census numbers also impacts the number of representatives we have in Congress.
So complete your U.S. Census forms here.
As of Sept. 24, 2020, Coconino County reported a total self-response rate of 45.4 percent, down from from 51.0 percent from a year ago. The news is event worse for the Navajo Nation, which has reported 20.6 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 24, 2020, down from 29.4 percent in 2010.
District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta said a low Census count in Coconino County will have an adverse financial impact on the region.
“It is imperative that community members complete the Census to ensure that Coconino County receives federal funding for important initiatives such as healthcare, roads, and housing, as well as school and community programs. The Census also determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. In order for Coconino County to thrive, residents must complete the Census and be counted,” she said this week.
The Census also determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives.
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 45.4 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 24, 2020, down from 51.0 percent in 2010
- The Navajo Nation has an 20.6 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 24, 2020, down from 29.4 percent in 2010
- The Hopi Reservation has a 18.0 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 24, 2020
- Arizona has a 63.4 percent self-response rate as of Sept. 24, 2020, up from 61.3 percent in 2010
- Overall, the United States has a National self-response rate of 66.3 percent as of Sept. 24, 2020, tied with a 66.3 percent rate in 2010
Overall, 89.9 percent of Arizona households have been counted in the 2020 Census (self-response and door-to-door operations) as of Sept. 17, 2020, which which puts Arizona ahead only of Alabama, Georgia and New Mexico. Idaho is reporting the highest response rate in the nation at 99.0 percent as of Sept. 17, 2020.
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!
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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:
- Click here to Register to Vote
- Click here for an Early Ballot
- Click here to be an Election Board Worker
- Click here to be on the Permanent Early Voting List
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.