Please respond to the Census   

To the Editor;

More than 50 million households, representing more than one-third of the nation, already have responded to the 2020 Census. The census happens once every 10 years, and your response affects allocation of congressional seats and federal funds to your community — for things like schools, hospitals, roads, and emergency services.

Please respond to the Census today. It takes less than 10 minutes to fill out the form online at 2020census.gov, over the phone to the number on the form you received or on paper through mail.

As of April 1, only 31 percent of Maine households have responded. We ask for your help in making sure Maine gets a complete and accurate count of all people residing in the state as of Census Day, April 1. 

Your data is encrypted from the instant we receive your response, so it is well protected. Your responses are not shared with anyone else, including law enforcement. Census responses are protected by federal law, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. 

Almost all households in Maine have received multiple invitations to respond by phone and by mail. If you have not received a paper questionnaire yet and have not responded, it will be delivered starting April 8. Your state and nation thank you for taking action on behalf of your community by responding to the 2020 Census. 

Wilbur L. Ross

Secretary

Department of Commerce

Washington, D.C.