2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act

https://www.schatz.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2020%20Census%20Deadline%20Extensions%20Act%20(1).pdf

What is the goal?

• “Help ensure accurate count by extending deadlines to report data and complete field operations”

If enacted, what will the bill do?

• Require the Census Bureau to continue field operations through October 31, 2020
• Extend the deadline for the delivery of apportionment data to the U.S. House of Representatives from December 31, 2020 to April 30, 2021. 
• Extend the statutory delivery of redistricting data to the states from March 31, 2021 to July 31, 2021

Why are these extensions important?

• The Census determines how much federal funding communities receive for public services
• “For an effort that happens once every ten years, with impacts that last for the next ten years, this is far too important to not get right” - Senator Murkowski

Why is the Census important?

• “Determines how much federal funding our local communities will receive for services like schools, roads, and other public services”  - Senator Murkowski
• It is a safe method of determining federal funding. The Census cannot share your information, nor do they request citizenship status or Social Security numbers to participate.
• In addition to federal funding, the census determines political representation in State Legislatures and the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Using data derived from the 2010 Census, in Fiscal Year 2016 Idaho received $3,646,592,592 through federal spending programs (https://gwipp.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2181/f/downloads/IPP-1819-3%20CountingforDollars_ID.pdf)

Who supports the passing of the bill?

• Bipartisan bill presented by Senators Brian Schatz (D- Hawai’i), Lisa Murkowski (R- Alaska), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) 
• Endorsed by National Association of Counties, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, National Organization of Black County Officials, National Council of Nonprofits, National Congress of American Indians, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and more.

Call to Action
Contact Senators Mike Crapo and James Risch in support of the bill (https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/congressional-delegation/)

---

Draft Letter
Dear Senator Crapo and Senator Risch,

I am writing to ask that you show your support for the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act as presented by Senators Brian Schatz (D - Hawai’i), Lisa Murkowski (R - Alaska), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented barriers in gathering Census data. The Census determines political representation and is used for data driven decisions that directly affect the nonprofit sector and any marginalized populations it seeks to represent. Rushing this process could negatively impact our communities and their access to public services for the coming decade. 

Given this knowledge, we believe that the extension of field operations as well as the extension of delivery of apportionment and redistricting data as proposed by this bill provides an essential opportunity to ensure the most accurate Census data. This extension is critical to ensuring a full count during the 2020 Census, and therefore accurate representation of our state’s needs. 
We urge you to support this bill in efforts to ensure the most accurate and beneficial use of the 2020 Census, and in acknowledging the barriers the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in achieving them.

On behalf of the nonprofit organizations in our state, we believe this extension is critical to our services and communities. We appreciate your attention to this request and your consideration of support. 

Sincerely,