Rhode Island residents have until Tuesday, July 31st to respond to the 2018 test of the U.S. Census. Providence County was chosen as the only location in the country for the test, in preparation for the next national Census in 2020.
The test, which began earlier this year, is supposed to help the U.S. Census Bureau validate its readiness for operations, procedures, systems, and field infrastructure for the once-a-decade census.
But, the test has taken place amid controversy, and a lawsuit, over the government’s decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. Critics said the question will deter participation from immigrants and skew the results of the Census. The Trump administration said it’s including the question to get an accurate count of people eligible to vote.
The Census Bureau said it’s committed to making the mandatory once-a-decade headcount quick, easy and secure for all residents.
In addition to the internet, residents can respond by telephone or by filling out the traditional paper questionnaire. Telephone questionnaire assistance is available in 7 languages other than English, including Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.
As of mid-April, the Census Bureau said it had received more than 90 thousand responses, with the majority online.
You can hear RIPR’s interview with regional U.S. Census Bureau Director Jeff Behler here.
The U.S. Census bureau says it will release response rates from the Providence County Census test by August 3rd.
Visit the Road to the 2020 Census to find out more about the Census Bureau’s research and testing leading up to the 2020 Census. To access the 2018 Census Test questionnaire and for more information about the test, visit here.