Assembly Select Committee on the Census 

 

Background: 

As mandated by the United States Constitution, the federal government is legally required to count each person living in the country, regardless of citizenship status, as part of the U.S. Census.

Census data is used to determine federal funding allocated to California for important community programs and services that support our families, as well the number of seats our state has in the House of Representatives.

Undercounting communities in California could significantly reduce our state’s share of federal funding and other government resources and programs, as well as deny our voices in policy decision-making.

Many challenges threaten a complete and accurate count of Californians in the Census. More than 20 percent of California's populated areas are considered "hard-to-count,” with Los Angeles County having been identified as the most difficult county in the nation to count.

Hard-to-count refers to areas where the self-response rate to the census questionnaire has historically been low – and where certain populations are likely to be missed. The census has historically missed certain communities, including communities of color, urban and rural low-income households, immigrants, renters and those living in nonstandard living situations, and young children.

Starting in mid-March 2020, every household will get a letter in the mail.  It will explain the different ways to fill out the Census – by mail, phone or online.

California has made an unprecedented commitment to ensuring a complete and accurate count of all Californians in 2020.  City and county governments, community based organizations, businesses, and schools and universities are working in local neighborhoods to be sure that everyone knows that the Census is safe, protected and confidential – and why all Californians should respond to the Census

 

Purpose:

The Select Committee on the Census is working closely with the Newsom Administration in preparation for the Census, assisting with outreach, and holding informational hearings across the state on the Census process and engagement.

 

Members of the Select Committee:

Marc Berman, Chair

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

Dr. Joaquin Arambula

Sabrina Cervantes

Ed Chau

Philip Chen

David Chiu

Jordan Cunningham

Heath Flora

Lorena Gonzalez

Jacqui Irwin

Reggie Jones-Sawyer

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

James Ramos

Shirley Weber

 

Contact:

For more information, please contact Chris Wagaman at Chris.Wagaman@asm.ca.gov or visit the website of the Select Committee on the Census at https://census.assembly.ca.gov or the websites of the California Complete Count at https://californiacensus.org or https://census.ca.gov.