Time is ticking for Hoosiers to submit their 2020 census information

The U.S. Census Bureau is completing non-response follow up for any households that haven't submitted their information.

You might see a paper on your door step if you haven't submitted your 20-20 census information yet.

Fox 55's mallory beard spoke with u-s census bureau representatives and locals to see why hoosiers might not be feeling the census this year.

Time is ticking is for hoosiers to submit their 2020 census information.

Marilyn sanders//u.s. census bureau regional director "the census is so important.

First and foremost it is mandated by the constitution, it is use for apportionment and redistricting, but more importantly, it brings resources back to our communities."

The census bureau mailed out questionnaires in mid march but xx percent still haven't filled one out.census employees are now visiting homes of residents who haven't submitted forms.tj charland of fort wayne is one of those reluctant to fill it out.tj charland/fort wayne resident "yea i think it's just kind of time consuming and it kind of brings back memories of those i-step tests" he's also worried whether the information requested is politically motivated.tj charland/fort wayne resident "because then i start thinking that they have an ulterior motive in filling out the census."

Census bureau regional director marilyn sanders says this is a common concern but she assures residents their information is safe.marilyn sanders//u.s. census bureau regional director "the census is mandated.

We cannot share your information by law.

Every person who works for the census bureau is sworn for life."

Sanders says fear is what will keep the bureau's quality control team knocking on doors after the deadline.

Marilyn sanders//u.s. census bureau regional director "the census bureau has always protected the data they collect and we find that through some of the research that there's primarily a lack of knowledge and people don't understand why we ask questions we ask, how the data is used, and what the benefit is individually."

But she wants to bridge the gap through awareness.

Without accurate information, sanders says libraries, shelters, and food ogranizations will go underfunded.

"most of that funding is distributed through the state, the county, and through funding coming back to many of the cities..."

Sanders urges hoosiers to pay more attention to the questions.

She says they're related to gender, age, and who resides in each household.

Not asking for your social security number.

Marilyn"so it's important to know that we must make sure that everyone is counted in the 2020 census and we have a short time right now to complete the counting of everyone."

Maybe provoking hoosiers to pick up the paper on their doorsteps after all.

Tj"i think it's not a bad thing to do.

I think it's going to help the future.

Going to decide how things are, change how they were, and how they're going to be."

In fort wayne, i'm mallory beard fox 55 news.

Once again the deadline to submit your 2020 census information is september 30th.

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