Message from Mayor Mikke Pierson:
The Deadline to Take the 2020 Census is September 30, So Now is the Time to Protect Malibu’s Federal Funding for Public Safety, Firefighting and Wildfire Relief, Schools, Healthcare, Assistance for Seniors and Representation in Congress
Friends, the September 30 deadline for the 2020 Census is coming fast, and even though we are struggling with the pandemic, there could not be a more important time to ensure Malibu’s local federal funding and our community’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. I completed the Census, and I can tell you it is easy, safe, fast, secure and extremely important.
Why should Malibu residents respond to the 2020 Census?
For every person not counted in the Census, the California Department of Finance estimates that their community loses $1,000 per year in federal funding. Census data helps determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and determines how billions of dollars in federal funds for schools, roads, emergency services, hospitals, health care and other services will be allocated to benefit our community by state, local and federal lawmakers for the next decade. That includes programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, disaster relief, and to provide housing assistance for older adults.
Currently, Malibu has one of the lowest self-response rates at just 40.5%, (as of September 14) compared with the US at 65.9%, California at 68.3% and Los Angeles County at 63.6%. See the 2020 Census response rate map. The good news is you still have to time to help this once-in-a-decade effort. All it takes is a 10-minute survey.
COVID-19 Safety
Census takers are still going door-to-door to follow up with households that have not yet responded. The Census is taking every precaution necessary and working closely with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure COVID-19 safety for you and the Census workers. Census takers are trained to wear face coverings and practice physical distancing of 6 ft. or more. They will not enter homes, and will conduct interviews outside as much as possible.
Privacy Protection
Your information is safe and secure. Census takers take an oath to keep individual responses strictly confidential and will never ask for your full social security number, bank account number, or passwords. The Census Bureau does not share your information with ICE or any law enforcement agency. Census workers carry visible photo ID badges with a Department of Commerce seal. If you have questions or concerns about Census workers or want to confirm their identification, call 844-330-2020. If you are concerned about having a Census worker come to your door, the best way to avoid that is to complete the 2020 Census online or by phone.
How to take the Census
Online at https://my2020census.gov.
By phone at 844-330-2020 (a list of language options to take the Census by phone is available at: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html)
If you care about our community, I urge you to complete your Census, and talk to your friends, family and neighbors and urge them to as well. It is fast, easy, safe and critically important to so many issues that impact our daily lives. Our next decade depends on it!
Sincerely,
Mikke Pierson
Mayor, City of Malibu