The U.S. census is well underway, and 60 percent of Massachusetts residents have already completed it. But state Rep. Paul Mark, chair of the House Committee on Redistricting, says if local towns want their fair share of financial support and voices in the Legislature, everyone needs to respond.
“The good news is Greenfield is beating the state average and the state is beating the national average,” said Mark, D-Peru. “The census has been extended from July 31 to Oct. 31, which is good news, but we’d like to see everyone fill it out now, so we don’t have to worry about a last-minute push.”
Mark said the typical door-to-door effort was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but is slowly starting. Additionally, he said there have been delays in mailing the census to some, so people should “sit tight,” because it’s coming, or should go online and fill it out there.
An accurate census count, he said, ensures that every district in every state receives the political voice they are entitled to in both Boston and Washington, D.C. The census, which occurs every 10 years, counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories.
“If we don’t count everyone by Oct. 31, we’ll have to live with the results for the next 10 years until 2030,” Mark said. “That’s a long time, especially if we undercount. An undercount means underrepresentation.”
The number of representatives in Congress determines the number of electoral votes each state gets in a presidential election, he said.
The census is also the basis for the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal money. That money, Mark said, is spent on roads, schools, public works projects, hospitals and many other important programs that people rely on.
For every person who isn’t counted, Mark said, communities will lose $2,300 in funding.
“That’s a lot of money when you think about it,” he said. “An undercount will affect projects, programs, so much. It’s more important than ever to get an accurate count. We’re going to be recovering from COVID-19, along with everything else we want to do.”
Mark said filling out the census is confidential, with all information being protected under federal law. He said the census does not ask for any financial information or sensitive identification information, including a person’s full Social Security number, political party, bank information or mother’s maiden name.
If someone suspects fraudulent activity, call 800-523-3205 or email: ois.fraud.reporting@census.gov. For more information, visit: census.gov.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.