We know that a complete and accurate count of all people in this nation is critically important for the security of our democracy. The League has been a national partner in this effort for decades and continues to play a valuable role in ensuring a full and accurate count of the Census through public education, advocacy, and community outreach.

Thanks to League leaders who were able to attend Get Out the Count Summits hosted by our friends at Census Counts, The Leadership Conference Education Fund, and State Voices, we have been able to compile additional resources for Leagues in preparations for the 2020 Census.

Map out a Plan

The Census follows an operational timeline which provides the framework for strategizing an effective get out the count plan for organizations like ours. Using this timeline, community organizations can divide their strategic approach into three main phases.

Phase 1: Education, Awareness, and Advocacy – Now until March 2020

Spend time laying the groundwork to prepare residents for the Census count. During this phase, think of ways to incorporate information about the Census in with any activity or event in which you are touching the public. 

Focus on hard to count communities. Undercounting skews Census data impacting representation in government and allocation of resources for the next 10 years. It is important to make sure we are using our organizational power to support the complete and accurate count of those often hardest to reach.

What you can do:

• Advocate for or join an existing Complete Count Committee
• Advocate for state funding to support outreach activities
• Leverage existing civic engagement channels and build capacity to increase one-on-one engagement in hard to count communities
• Incorporate Census information in all League events
• Know your hard to count communities and make a plan to reach them
  • In which communities has the League established relationships and are  trusted voices in the community?
  • Which organizations can and should you work with to reach hard to count communities in your area?

Phase 1 is also an important time to think through structural barriers. Remember, this is the first time that the Census count will be carried out primarily digitally. Are there ways you can be working with public institutions, such as schools and libraries, to make computers available to the public?

Phase 2: Engagement and Get out the Count – March 2020-End of Counting

From March 2020 until counting is complete, focus on engaging all residents of your community and network to complete their Census forms.

What you can do:

• Work with Libraries to increase public access to computers and assist those using public technology to get counted
• Host a community celebration after the count with a partner organization or other community leaders
• Use a GOTV-style field operation to increase response rates

Phase 3: Reaching those who did not submit their forms – Being a ‘Watchdog’ Beyond the Count

Census day takes place on April 1, 2020 and apportionment counts are sent to the President by December 31, 2020, but our work is ongoing. Even after all Census information is collected, Leagues can continue to work in ways that strengthen our democracy.

What you can do:

• Alert Complete Count Committees, the U.S. Census Bureau and LWVUS to issues that may arise in hard to count communities especially with regards to misinformation or intimidation by outside groups
• Advocate for state & local demographers to transition to a strong, transparent redistricting plan around fairness and equity issues
• Evaluate state GOTC programs

As an organization with close ties to local communities, the League plays vital role in ensuring a complete and accurate Census count.

Go to the League’s Census Action Kit for additional resources!