This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
As the 2020 census approaches, the stakes are high. The Constitution mandates a fair and accurate count of every person living in the United States, regardless of ethnicity, immigration status, income level, or ZIP code. In 2017, California began planning for the census, investing over $187.2 million to reach hard-to-count populations.
Published on July 12, 2019, the state's efforts are focused on communicating with people who meet certain demographic, housing, and socioeconomic criteria that make it more challenging for them to be counted. California is working with partners to support local questionnaire assistance centers and kiosks, providing in-person and in-language help.
Oregon is also taking proactive steps to ensure a complete count. The state is bringing together local business and philanthropy leaders, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and government partners to create public-awareness campaigns. Oregon is convening multilingual community forums, airing culturally specific TV and radio ads, and setting up census assistance centers.
With the federal government's commitment to the census uncertain, states like California and Oregon are stepping up to ensure that every voice is counted. By investing in local outreach and education, these states are pushing back against the manipulation of the census and upholding the Constitution's mandate for a fair and accurate count.
