Census 2020 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Once the Census is over, will there be any other people calling or stopping by from the Census?

• YES!!!! Here is where your phone number comes in. Once the Census is done, they have interviewers call randomly selected homes throughout the year to perform the American Community Survey.

This survey asks questions like:

• Do you still live at 1234 Hill Dr (example)
• Does Joe, Mike and Sally still live with you? Yes Joe and Mike live here Sally has moved (example)
• Do you work? Yes (example)
• What do you do for work? Commercial fishing (example)
• How much do you make? $15,000 (example)
• There are about 20 questions they will ask. This information is also CONFIDENTIAL. It helps our government understand the cost

of living, the pay scale, as well as unemployment and disabled individuals in an area. Once this information is analyzed, they put

out reports about our area’s demographics. This information can increase the amount of federal funding we receive. This also helps us qualify for certain grants.

Is there a representative in our Community that will call for the American Community Survey?

• Yes and NO
• We do have a representative assigned to our Kodiak Area her name is Christina Owen- Also known as Tina.
• She works for the Census as an interviewer for the American Community Survey. She is the key in the reporting of our demographics for our communities.
• Please answer her calls and please answer the questions!

Will Christina call me?

• Yes, if your home hasbeen chosen she will call you and interview you. If you cannot talk at that time, she will call you back at a better time for you.
• She may not call this year, but she may call next year or the year after since the homes are chosen randomly each year.
• Please note: If you are ever worried you may be talking to a scammer, you can ask for her identification number from the government. You then can call the US Commerce and they can verify the credentials. OR you can always call me! Amy Peterson 907-370- 3100

Is the Census a part of the Constitution?

• The answer is YES!
• Article one, section 2 clause 3 is what you are looking for. This section of the constitution outlines the way in which members of the House of Representatives shall be apportioned. The constitution mandates that every 10 years every citizen shall be counted. This is where the census comes in.
• If we do not have everyone counted, it could mean we lose a seat in the House of Representatives. This means less votes in Washington DC for Alaska as a whole.

How do we count children that have two homes?

• The parent that they primarily live with should be the home that they are counted in.
• OR the home with the AK Native parent if the home is racially mixed
• As well as the home of where the enrolled or principle Tribe is located
• If they truly spend equal time, the parents are going to have to talk about which person is counting the child in their home. Again this does not affect any money or rent or any kind of benefits you may receive.

Will my family member who is currently in jail, the hospital or nursing home going to be counted?

• Yes, they will be counted by the Correctional Center or Health Facility they are in. They will be interviewed and full accounted for with their Tribal names as well.
• This is very important to encourage your loved ones to make sure they know the correct way to spell the Tribe they are enrolled in. If you feel this may be difficult for them, I encourage you to send them a letter with the correct spelling on it, a text message etc., to the facility so they can provide this information when time.

Can I count my family member that is out of the country?

• YES & NO
• If they are in the military, the US Government Branch they are with will count them.
• If they are at College, the University or Educational Institution will count them.
• With the current University and College closures please encourage your student to be counted where they are on April 1, 2020.
• We DO NOT want anyone to be counted twice.
• If they are on vacation and live with you, yes count them BUT if they are on vacation but live in their own home, they can do it when they come back.

What if we have two families living in our home and we both get a survey in the mail?

• Great QUESTION!
• The primary home owner needs to count everyone living in the home. So for the second family, you will not fill out a survey. ONE

PHYSICAL Address, with everyone in ONE home. No duplicates.

My child is at boarding school, who counts them?

• If your child is at boarding school, you will count them as if they are at home with you. Please call the school and let them know this is what you are doing, so there is no miscommunication.

I see that there are more than one option for Race, can I choose more than one?

• YES and NO! If you identify with more than one race, yes please check the correct boxes. BUT I do

encourage you to go with your primary race that you have used your whole life.

EXAMPLE:

 AK Native/American Indian (please list your tribe affiliation or principle tribe)

Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor

 White (please list your origin)

Norwegian