Molinaro Encourages Residents to Participate
in 2020 Census to Ensure ‘Everyone is Counted’
Poughkeepsie, NY … As Wednesday, April 1st, is observed nationwide as Census Day, Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro reminds County residents of the importance of filling out the 2020 census, which is now open online at My2020Census.gov.
Residents have been receiving via mail invitations to respond to the census online. The invitation provides instructions and a census ID code to complete the form. Residents can also fill out the form by accessing the census website, using the “If you do not have a Census ID” link and following the prompts. Residents will receive several reminders through the mail over the next month.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Census Bureau has temporarily suspended all field operations. Field workers were not scheduled to go out in large numbers until the end of April, giving people a chance to respond in other ways first – online, by phone or through mail.
County Executive Molinaro said, “Participating in the national census takes just a few minutes, but can greatly impact Dutchess County for years to come. The federal government will collect information that will determine how it distributes $675 billion in annual funds that support vital programs that benefit many in our community. I implore all in Dutchess County to respond to the 2020 census to ensure everyone is counted, and our community receives its fair share of federal funding.”
Census information is used when communities plan various important efforts, from providing health services to assessing transportation needs. Congressional, state and county legislative districts also will be redrawn based on the census numbers. Census information is kept confidential, and the penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Last year, County Executive Molinaro created the Dutchess County’s Complete Count Committee to raise awareness about the census. Committee members represent various organizations from throughout Dutchess County and have a broad range of experience in community outreach. The committee has been making presentations at municipal meetings and attending community events to educate the public about the importance of the census.
To learn more about the census, go to http://www.My2020Census.gov, which includes a pull-down menu translating the site into more than a dozen languages. Census assistance numbers are: 844-330-2020 for English and 844-468-2020 for Spanish. For assistance in other languages, go to https://2020census.gov/en/help.html.
