Lawmaker, Lt. Gov Urge Branford Residents To Fill Out 2020 Census

BRANFORD, CT —State Representative Robin Comey (D-Branford) today called on residents to complete their 2020 Census if they haven’t already done so.

Every 10 years the United States is mandated by its Constitution to count every person in the country. Responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. The data is used to calculate federal dollars that go directly into communities and affect residents' quality of life including public safety, emergency preparedness and business development.

Responding to the Census questionnaire helps determine the allocation of billions of dollars in funding, as well as the fair and accurate apportionment of legislative representation at the state, federal and local levels.

Individuals' data is confidential and by law, the U.S. Census cannot share your information with immigration enforcement agencies, law enforcement agencies, or allow it to be used to determine eligibility for government benefits."If you have a child that is a one year old in 2020, having an accurate count of the population allows us the ability to plan for the future and allocate what resources our town and our agencies will need to have available for the next 10 years of that child's life," Comey said.

"This year, more than ever, it is critical that every Connecticut resident responds to the Census," she said, noting that the "most recent data shows Branford's self-response at 68.4% and the entire state at 64.9%. The Census counts every person living in the country – citizens, noncitizens and green-card holders."

“While Connecticut’s response rate – 65 percent – exceeds the national response rate, it’s critical that every household responds to the decennial questionnaire. Responses from the U.S. Census helps to determine nearly $11 billion in federal funding allocations to Connecticut for programs like Medicaid, school nutrition programs, disaster relief, energy assistance for seniors, and so many other programs that families across our state rely on every day.

"The state could lose approximately $2,900 per year — or $29,000 over a 10-year period — for every person who is undercounted,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said.

“More than 68 percent of Branford households have responded to the 2020 Census, but over the coming weeks it’s crucial that we target the remaining 32 percent of households and encourage them to respond to the count. Make your voice heard and be counted.”

Comey agreed: "I urge everyone to take a few minutes online at https://my2020census.gov/ and complete the form for everyone living in the household.”The 2020 Census is open for self-response online at 2020Census.gov<http://2020census.gov/>, over the phone by calling 844-330-2020, and through the mail.The U.S. Census Bureau is also providing the Internet Self-Response Instrument and Census Questionnaire Assistance in 12 non-English languages<https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/planning-management/memo-series/2020-memo-2018_06.html>; enumerator instrument, bilingual paper questionnaire, bilingual mailing, and field enumeration materials in Spanish; and language guides, language glossaries, and language identification card in 59 non-English languages<https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/planning-management/language-resources/language-guides.html>.