Beginning today, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver 2010 census questionnaires to mailboxes throughout the land, with a goal of counting every person living in America and learning more about the demographics of its people.
“If even 100 people in Buncombe County are not counted, that could mean $1 million less for the county each year for the next 10 years,” said Ken Richards, of Asheville, who is working in public relations for the census project in 13 North Carolina counties. “Whatever we find out in the 2010 census will last until the next census in 2020.”
When the document arrives, all you have to do is answer 10 simple questions, put the questionnaire in the postage-paid envelope provided, and drop it back in your mailbox. If you do that promptly, a U.S. Census Bureau worker won't come knocking on your door in a few weeks to get the answers in person.
“Returning completed questionnaires saves taxpayer money and increases the likelihood of a full count,” said William W. Hatcher, regional director for the U.S. Census Bureau, adding that for every 1 percentage point increase in mail return of the census form, taxpayers save about $85 million in cost for sending census takers door-to-door to collect the information.
Federal law, by the way, requires participation in the census.
Richards, who has been visiting civic groups, schools, government offices and other groups and places that have the capability of reaching high volumes of people to encourage participation, said he's met many undocumented Latino residents who are fearful of revealing their existence to the government.
