Local NAACP branch supports higher census response rate

Some residents say they already filled out their United States Census form for 2020.

People to fill it out.

Wtvas nicole dantzler is live with more on her efforts to get a higher response rate.

The president of oktibbeha countys naacp branch is making sure everyone in her area sent out their census forms. it seems her efforts are working because a few residents have already sent theirs out.

"as an enumerator working with the census i saw a need that we were really behind."

The president of the naacp oktibbeha county branch has been wearing many hats..

Her role as the president means she focuses on mitigating any issues that impacts the county..

Since the 2020 us census deadline is quickly approaching..yul anda haddix said her team is on the ground to support a better response rate.

((sot)) this is affect our community drastically as far as programming, the monies go into schools, education."

Yulanda haddix-president, naacp oktibbeha county branch haddix partnered with other local naacp branches and organized events to educate people about the census..

She said their zone has a 87 percent response rate..but enumerators are trying to get that number to 100 percent.

"if you're not counted those dollars are not allocated to our community."

So in order to be counted..

Some residents filled out their census forms before the deadline.

((sot)) "fill out their census because we want to keep the data as accurate as possible so we can keep those numbers and really understand and keep track of how many people we actually have."

John griffin-resident "be as accurately represented just living here and kinda know what's going on just so for the future it can help us plan funding."

Walker hardin-resident standup: everyone should receive an envelope in their mailbox from the us census bureau.

Then you take it-open it-then fill it out.

((sot)) "i would say it's pretty easy.

It just takes maybe a minute or two and then you know it's harmless so go and fill it out.

If you did not fill out the census yet, you still have some time..

Commerce secretary wilbur ross announced today that he will set the census deadline to october 5.

Live in starkville nicole dantzler wtva nine news.