To the Editor:

Many places in the Northeastern U.S. and in New York State have declared the week of July 27-August 2 “Census PUSH Week.”

The goal is to push for an increase in the 2020 Census self-response rate in order to lower the number of residences that Census workers, known as “enumerators,” will have to visit in person.

Enumerators will be going out in the North Country in early August to start knocking on the doors of those who have not responded to the Census either online, by phone or by mailing in a Census form. If you haven’t yet responded, please don’t delay any longer!

Census data is used to determine congressional representation and is used for state and local redistricting. It is also used for planning by local municipalities, school districts, and state governments, as well as to distribute $900 billion dollars of Federal money to support everything from public school lunch programs to transportation infrastructure to loan programs for businesses and much more.

This money is crucial for the North Country. For every person not counted in the 2010 Census, NC Counties lost $2000 per person per year for the past ten years. With budgets thrown into disarray by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, our towns, villages, schools and counties literally can’t afford a Census undercount in 2020.

As of July 23 the response rates in NC counties were as follows: Clinton 60.0%; St. Lawrence 53.3%; Franklin 48%; Jefferson 44.4%; Lewis 41.3%. You can check response rates by state, county, town and Census tract at www.2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html .

You can respond to the Census at https://2020census.gov/ or by calling 1-844-330-2020. If you have questions about the Census, call your County Planning Office or visit their website to find out how to contact your local Complete Count Committee. Spread the word: the North Country needs every household to respond to the Census.

Kathleen Stein, president

League of Women Voters of St. Lawrence County