Having a complete and accurate count of Maine people is essential to our representation in Congress and in the State House, to the allocation of billions of dollars of federal grants, and to funding state-based programs and services.
The 2020 Census is much more than just a head-count. It is a critical measure that will help ensure our state’s voice is heard in the years to come.
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.
It is critical that Maine people feel comfortable participating and that you understand the importance of the 2020 census, however Maine’s participation in the census is currently very low.
As of August 7th, only 55.3 percent of Maine households have participated. Undercounting our population could cost the state billions of dollars.
As we continue to protect public health and safely reopen our economy, it is more important than ever that Maine people be fully and accurately counted in the census. The federal funds that we need to begin the long path to recovery from the hardships caused by COVID-19 depend on the census.
Based on the previous Census of 2010, Maine received over $4 billion each year in federal funds for school lunch programs, for student loan relief, for health care, for road maintenance and many other critical services. But if our population is not fully counted, funding for these important programs will decline.
Census data are also used to redistrict legislative districts; to forecast transportation needs for all segments of the population; to determine areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans; to assist federal, tribal, state, and local governments in planning programs like emergency response and services like those for people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.
All these things are based on population.
Personal information compiled in the census is confidential and secure. The census will not ask you about citizenship, or your social security number, or financial information or political affiliation, so you should feel safe about participating.
The 2020 Census is unique not only because the 2020 count will reflect the growth of the population over the last 10 years, but this will also be the first year you can fill out the Census online.
There is still time to participate online, by phone or by mail. Please visit 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.
Step up and be counted to make sure that you, and all of our state, gets our fair share.
This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening. Please stay safe.