Beginning in mid-March, every household in America will receive a notice to complete the census online,
by phone, or by mail. You will be asked to count everyone who lives in your home as of April 1, 2020.
Responding to the 2020 Census is a chance to shape your future!
EVERYONE COUNTS: The Census counts every person living in the United States once, and only once, in
the right place.
IT’S IN THE CONSTITUTION: The U.S. Constitution mandates that everyone in the country be counted
every 10 years. The first census was in 1790.
IT’S ABOUT REDISTRICTING: After each decade’s census, state officials redraw the boundaries of the
congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts.
IT’S ABOUT $675 BILLION: The distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants, and
support to states, counties, and communities are based on census data. That money is spent on schools,
hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs.
TAKING PART IS YOUR CIVIC DUTY: Completing the census is MANDATORY, and it’s a way to participate
in our democracy and say “I COUNT!”
The census data will be used all around us:
- Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness.
- Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices, and stores, which create
jobs. - Residents use the census to support community initiative involving legislation, quality-of-life,
and consumer advocacy. - Real estate developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods.
YOUR PRIVACY IS PROTECTED
The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the United States Code. These laws not only provide authority
for the work, but also provide strong protection for the information collected from individuals and
businesses.
Title 13 provides the following protections to individuals and businesses:
- Private information is never published. It is against the law to disclose or publish any private
information that identifies an individual or business such, including names, addresses (including
GPS coordinates), Social Security Numbers, and telephone numbers. - The Census Bureau collects information to produce statistics. Personal information cannot be
used against respondents by any government agency or court. - Census Bureau employees are sworn to protect confidentiality. People sworn to uphold Title 13
are legally required to maintain the confidentiality of your data. Every person with access to
your data is sworn for life to protect your information and understands that the penalties for
violating this law are applicable for a lifetime. - Violating the law is a serious federal crime. Anyone who violates this law will face severe
penalties, including a federal prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or
both.
For more information, visit: 2020CENSUS.GOV or www.poncacityok.gov.
