By: Natalie Godinez and Marvella Muro

On April 1, 2020, Census Day, the Self Help Graphics & Art team streamed a bilingual step-by-step guide, live on Facebook, demonstrating how to complete the census questionnaire. Marvella Muro, Director of Artistic Programs and Education, and Natalie Godinez, Community Engagement Coordinator, walked the viewers through each question in English and Spanish. They addressed common misconceptions and concerns surrounding the 2020 Census, and reminded everyone who should be counted. The information provided was gathered from training the staff received through the We Count LA campaign and SHG’s Census partner NALEO who created a guide for Latino respondents. Below is a recap of our Census Day guide. To learn how to fill out your census form, read our how-to below and view the video on our YouTube channel here. 

What is the 2020 Census? 

Every decade, the Census is used to determine the population in the country and this information is used to distribute federal funding across the nation. Funding is used for services such as affordable lunch programs in schools, Head Start, hospitals and Medicaid (known as Medi-CAL in California); 60% of census funds go toward medical services, a much needed service today. It also funds affordable housing, job programs, public transportation, and the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program, among others.  

Can I fill it out the Census if I am undocumented and can I count members of my household who are undocumented? 

Yes and yes! The Census does not contain a citizenship question, and everyone, including those who are undocumented, need to be counted. Your  information is protected by law and will only be accessible by the Census Bureau and it cannot be shared with other government authorities such as the police or ICE. 

How do I fill out the Census? 

Everyone’s household should have received a letter this spring, inviting residents to complete their form online or their hardcopy form in the mail. You may also complete your form over the phone. The forms are available in multiple languages.  

What is the deadline to fill out the Census? 

Although the Census questionnaire deadline has been extended through August 14, we highly encourage you to complete the census form immediately. It’s safe, private and takes 10 minutes to complete. 

What will they ask on the Census questionnaire?  Completing the Census is easy! It consists of the following nine questions:

1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020? 

It is important that you count everyone living with you. Newborns count. Grandparents who live with you half of the year and the other half in Mexico count. Uncles, cousins, friends or others who have overextended their stay count. If there are multiple families living in one home, you count everyone. If a family is living in the unpermitted back house or converted garage, count them too. Don’t worry, the landlord won’t receive this information and unpermitted buildings will not be reported! Remember your information is private. 

2. Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020 that you did not include in Question 1? 

This sounds a lot like Question 1 and little like a trick question–it’s neither! They ask this so you don’t forget anyone. Often, people forget kids or newborns or other people who are staying with them part time.  Don’t forget to include all in your household, from newborns to elders–EVERYONE.

3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home: 

a. Owned by someone in the household with a mortgage or loan? 

b. Owned by someone in the household free and clear? 

c. Rented? 

d. Occupied without payment of rent? 

This question helps identify the number of homeowners or renters, which in turn informs affordable housing needs.

4. What is your telephone number? 

Your number is requested in case the census bureau has any questions about your  response. Nothing else. 

Questions five through nine are asked about everyone living in the household. The paper form has space for up to ten household members. If there are additional members living in your household, the online form allows up to 99 persons, or call to complete your form.. The following questions have to be answered about everyone counted in your home.

5. What is this person’s name?

6. What is this person’s age and date of birth? 

If you are counting a baby under one, please enter 0 as the age.

7. What is this person’s sex? 

Unfortunately, the census was not written with a progressive perspective, and an option is not provided for individuals who are gender non-conforming or non-binary. Please know that many LGBTQI+ organizations have been and will continue to push for your representation on the census. Please do not let this discourage you from participating, select whichever gender more closely represents your gender identity. Not participating further depletes your representation.

8. Is this person of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin? 

This question provides multiple options if you select yes. The options are Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano; Puerto Rican, and Cuban. They also provide a space to self identify as being from other Spanish speaking or Latin American countries. It’s important to know that the Census makes a note about answering both questions seven and eight, which is about race, since Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origins are not considered a race for this year’s census. You can choose to add more than one country of origin as well. 

9. What is this person’s race? 

This question is confusing for many, especially for Latinxs who don’t particularly identify with any of the races offered on the form, but it’s important to answer all questions to the best of your ability. 

The Census bureau officially recognizes four races: White, Black, Native American or Alaska, and Asian. They provide multiple boxes for Asian, and allow you to write in more details about the other three. You can select more than one race or write in something else under “Other”. Just like with the question about sex, there are many organizations advocating for either more representation under the race question. Read NALEO’s guide for additional information on this matter. 

What if I don’t respond to the census questionnaire?

Beginning May 28, 2020 the Census enumerators will begin knocking on doors if you haven’t self-responded by that date or if there are questions about your answers. You may also receive a phone call regarding your form instead of a knock on your door. This is a tentative date, as things are evolving through the Covid-19 epidemic. Please know that the Enumerators:

• Are certified by the Census Bureau. 

• Have an official ID.

• Do Not ask for your personal ID.

• Do Not ask for money.

• Do Not ask for citizenship.

• Do Not ask for social security numbers.

Again, you can watch SHG’s recorded “How To Fill Out The Census Questionnaire” video on the organization’s YouTube channel. To learn more about Self Help Graphics’ Census campaign and atelier, visit www.selfhelpgraphics.com/census. 

Natalie Godinez is an artist, educator and Self Help Graphics & Art’s Community Engagement Coordinator. Marvella Muro is Director of Artistic Programs and Education at Self Help Graphics & Art.