In March, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States. Participation in the 2010 Census is crucial to Texas' future. The U.S. Constitution requires that the federal government conduct a population count every 10 years.
Demographic data obtained during the census process ultimately determines the number of seats Texas gets in the U.S. House of Representatives, so it has a major impact on Texas' representation in Washington. Additionally, this population data is used to calculate Texas' share of $400 billion dollars in federal funding. These taxpayer dollars fund buildings, roads and services such as hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers and emergency medical care. For example, Census data determined the number of vaccines delivered to Texas cities during the H1N1 crisis.
Under federal law, Census participation is mandatory for all Texas residents, whether they are citizens or noncitizens. Household data provided during the event is confidential. Census workers face unlawful disclosure penalties of up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
Census forms will arrive in the mail by mid-March. Recipients should complete the form and return it immediately. No official census information will be collected via e-mail, so participants should be cautious of any e-mails regarding the U.S. Census. These are fraudulent e-mails unlawfully seeking recipients' personal information.
Census workers will visit door-to-door in residential areas in order to verify certain Census information. Participants should always look for identification from Census takers before opening the door. Census Bureau employees will be clearly identified with a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
Census takers will visit a home up to three times to record resident information. Every time a Census worker comes to the door, they will leave a door hanger containing a telephone number for the residents to call to schedule a visit when the resident is available.
By conducting door-to-door checks, the Census Bureau is attempting to collect correct and accurate information. The 2010 Census forms will only contain 10 questions, including name, home address and the number of people at the address. Census workers might also ask for a salary range, but participants can refuse to answer this question if they do not feel comfortable giving out that information.
Census workers might also ask for basic financial information, but they will not ask for Social Security numbers, bank account or credit card numbers nor will they ask for any type of donations. For more information about the 2010 Census, participants should visit www.census.gov/2010census.
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Points To Remember
2010 U.S. Census
. U.S. Census workers will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
. Census employees will not request Social Security numbers, credit card or banking information, or donations.
. Census employees might ask for basic financial information, such as salary range. Participants may decline to provide such information.
For more information about the 2010 U.S. Census, visit:
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
For more information about this and other consumer topics, visit the attorney general's Web site at
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or call (800) 252-8011.
