The once-in-a-decade effort to count the U.S. population has shifted to Plan B – to send paper survey forms to Nebraskans who have yet to complete the survey online or by phone. Residents have begun receiving a paper form in the mail asking basic demographic information to gather a picture of population trends.
The information will inform critical funding for health care, public education, transportation, emergency disaster relief and political representation.
“The paper form is out and we’re asking people to participate in the census because it’s very important people get counted,” Melissa Breazille, spokesman for Nebraska Counts tells KLIN News. “Participating in the census helps people bring back important funding to their communities.”
The work of Nebraska nonprofits to get out the count is paying off. As of April 19, Nebraska ranks fourth among the states in census completion rates, at 58.1 percent.
“That means theirs a lot more to go too. While we’re in a great position so far, we can’t let up,” she says.
For those individuals who are not comfortable completing the survey online or don’t have access to the Internet, paper census forms are still a safe and easy way to protect and build community. Additionally, the deadline to complete the census is extended to October 31. Individuals can complete their form via paper, phone or online at www.my2020census.gov.