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For Immediate Release
June 19, 2019
2020 Census
FRESNO—The 2020 Census, scheduled to begin on April 1, will introduce new methods of collecting Census information through the adoption of online, mail-in and in-person access to questionnaires.
            Newly introduced methods are meant to ensure the population is counted accurately and effectively, but people are vulnerable to scams. To avoid becoming a victim, ensure that any mailed Census information is from Jeffersonville, IN; any callers can be verified by the National Processing Center; and all in-person visitors have valid identification.
Any e-mails received on behalf of the Census Bureau should be forwarded to ois.fraud.reporting@census.gov for verification. If you are unsure whether you are being scammed, call the Census Bureau Regional Office at 1-800-992-3530.
            The purpose of the Census is to receive an accurate and representative count of the U.S. population. The information is then used for redistricting, which puts some states at risk for losing seats in the House of Representatives as well as losing funds allocated to cover per capita and specific population costs. California is one of the states at risk of losing seats and funds if the Census does not accurately reflect California’s population.
            A factor that contributes to an inaccurate population count is the percentage of hard-to-count areas within a county. There are 476,414 people within Fresno County who have a higher risk of going uncounted, which accounts for almost half of the county’s population. Areas in southwest Fresno County are especially at risk of being undercounted.
Due to the large immigrant population in California, the proposed addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census could serve as a deterrent to immigrant population participation. This issue directly affects Fresno, which has a substantial immigrant population.
“Equitable representation for our Latino community depends on a thorough and accurate 2020 Census count,” says Annalisa Perea, a State Center Community College District trustee. “A significant amount of effort is required in order to achieve full participation in the 2020 U.S. Census, especially in the California community college system, which has some of the hardest-to-count residents in the state.
“That’s why I’m proud that at the local community college district, we’ve already entered into an agreement with the California Complete Count Office for use of office space at Fresno City College to support complete count efforts here in the Central Valley.
“The thoroughness and integrity of the Census count are critical,” says Michael D. Evans, chair of the Fresno County Democratic Party. “Our state needs full representation and access to all the resources to which we are entitled. An accurate Census will ensure that.”
The Fresno County Democratic Party can be reached at 559-495-0606 or dems@fresnocountydemocrats.org.
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Media Inquiries:
Michael D. Evans, 704-975-8874, evansm@usa.net