Census Efforts In Minnesota Will Continue Through Oct. 31

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis city officials are responding to Thursday's federal district court decision that reinstates the U.S. Census Bureau’s enumeration deadline to Oct. 31. The original July 31 deadline was adjusted to Oct. 31 to mitigate outreach efforts and delays due to the pandemic but was subsequently revised and reduced a full month to Sept. 30.

City officials say additional time will help to provide "a more robust and thorough outreach plan and lessen the projected undercount."

"During this census cycle there have been numerous attempts to undermine the 2020 census, from the failed attempts to add a citizenship question, to the President's recent unconstitutional efforts to exclude undocumented community members from the reapportionment count," said Mayor Jacob Frey in a news release.

"But once again, democracy won. The courts have again upheld the sanctity of the census. Their decision to re-instate the Oct. 31, 2020 Census response deadline will ensure we have a complete, accurate and inclusive count."

"The decision by the court to reinstate the Oct. 31 census deadline is a victory for the people," said Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins.

"The extended timeline gives us an opportunity to ensure our most vulnerable community members are included in the 2020 census count. We all count, and today's decision moves us one step closer to ensuring we all are counted."

Thursday's ruling means the U.S. Census Bureau will continue its work through Oct. 31.