State Sen. Umberg on keeping the Census on track amid the COVID-19 pandemic

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on the 2020 United States Census, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) released the following statement regarding the 2020 Census during the current state of emergency inflicted by the COVID-19 crisis. The statewide effort to count each California resident will directly impact the next 10 years, and beyond. Resident counts are used to determine federal funding allocations to local school districts and to determine how many electoral college votes each community gets, among other political and daily-life impacts.

“Disruptions caused by the outbreak have forced Californians to adjust to a new sense of normal during a pandemic, nonetheless we must make appropriate efforts to maintain the processes by which we represent the people of our state,” said Senator Umberg. “The repercussions that stem from the information we provide to the census is imperative. It only takes a few minutes to ensure we get counted, and we get our fair share of the federal and state funded resources that are available.”

The processes put into place for the initial stages of the Census have gone well, and many Americans have already responded via the census website, by mail or by phone. However, severe limitations brought on by controlling the COVID-19 pandemic will impact mobility and personal contact., making it difficult to reach portions of the population. About 38 percent of households have responded since the online portal opened on March 10, a number in line with the bureau’s projections.

“Census data helps government agencies, school districts, businesses and others, provide the best resources to serve Californians. COVID-19 has shown us more than ever how interconnected we all are, and the census is a rare opportunity to do our part to help our community,” said Senator Umberg.

Fortunately, it is easier to participate in the 2020 Census. You can do it online, over the phone or using a paper form. Invitations have gone out in the mail, but you do not need the ID number from the invitation to complete the form. You can just go to www.my2020census.gov and complete it as soon as possible. Residents can also call 1-844-330-2020 with language support, or by mailing in a paper questionnaire once they are mailed. A census worker only comes to your home if you have not completed the form. So, it is imperative that residents complete the census and encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.

The Senate Select Committee on the 2020 US Census will work with all stakeholders and provide the necessary oversight to help ensure that there is an accurate and complete count. The committee members include Senator Thomas J. Umberg (Chair; D – Santa Ana), Senator Richard Pan (Chair; D – Sacramento), Senator Anna M. Caballero (D – Salinas), Senator Ling Ling Chang (R – Diamond Bar), Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D – Los Angeles), Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (D – Van Nuys), and Senator Melissa Hurtado (D – Sanger).

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Senator Thomas J. Umberg represents the 34^th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.