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2010 Census

post #1 of 22
3/16/10 at 11:11am
Thread Starter 
What info are you legally required to give?
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post #2 of 22
3/16/10 at 11:17am
How many live in the household, and how old they are.
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post #3 of 22
3/16/10 at 12:55pm
If you don't fill it out completely, though, a canvasser for the Census will probably swing by your home to try and get the rest of the information. At that point, just explain that you are refusing to answer further questions. IIRC they have a box to check for that. The most important thing is getting an accurate enumeration; if the number of people in the household as of April 2010 is correct, that's all they really care about because that's all that is constitutionally required. An accurate count is essential for properly apportioning House seats (and by extension, the Electoral College). The additional information is utilized for apportioning federal funding, so the more information you provide the better your local area will make out. I think it's only 10 questions this year.
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post #4 of 22
3/16/10 at 3:46pm
I'm curious why someone wouldn't want to fill it out.  It's not like it's personal and prying.

On the flip side, I was perturbed that they spent money and created tons of waste to send me a letter saying that they were going to send me a letter the following week (the census).  What the heck was that about?
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post #5 of 22
3/16/10 at 10:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al.Anderson View Post

I'm curious why someone wouldn't want to fill it out.  It's not like it's personal and prying.

On the flip side, I was perturbed that they spent money and created tons of waste to send me a letter saying that they were going to send me a letter the following week (the census).  What the heck was that about?

They had a historically low response rate in 2000. The idea behind the letters is that the cost will be offset by any increased response rate driven by the advanced notification, since sending workers around for follow-up is much more expensive.
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post #6 of 22
3/16/10 at 11:26pm

I don't remember getting an advance letter this year. We just got the actual census form in today's mail. 

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post #7 of 22
3/17/10 at 10:39am
I've never gotten a census form in the mail. I've been filing federal taxes since the early 1980s, so you'd think they would know I exist.
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post #8 of 22
3/17/10 at 11:12am

Quote:
 
They had a historically low response rate in 2000. The idea behind the letters is that the cost will be offset by any increased response rate driven by the advanced notification, since sending workers around for follow-up is much more expensive.
 

So, since I received an advance notice and Adam didn't, what you're telling me is the US government thinks I'm a clueless slacker. 

Okay, I'm good with that. 
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post #9 of 22
3/17/10 at 7:57pm

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al.Anderson View Post



So, since I received an advance notice and Adam didn't, what you're telling me is the US government thinks I'm a clueless slacker. 

Okay, I'm good with that. 

Adam will probably just get his advance letter a couple weeks after the actual form arrives.
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post #10 of 22
3/17/10 at 8:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood View Post

I've never gotten a census form in the mail. I've been filing federal taxes since the early 1980s, so you'd think they would know I exist.

It's more likely that they don't know your address exists. When I was in my last apartment, the Census Bureau sent us a American Community Survey addressed to "Current Resident". If you want to get a form, call the bureau toll-fee at 1-866-872-6868 and give them your address. There's places you can pick them up in person, too, but don't ask me where 'cause I don't know.
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post #11 of 22
3/17/10 at 9:01pm
I got the advanced letter as well. So did my sister. What a complete waste of money. I just put the number 1 in the question for how many live in the household, and left the rest blank.

Doug
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post #12 of 22
3/18/10 at 5:04am

Quote:
I just put the number 1 in the question for how many live in the household, and left the rest blank.
 

But why go out of your way to not provide the requested information?  Seriously, I'm curious.

I could see a reasonable debate over the request for names; but including the ages is obviously helpful.  (E.g., do we need schools or retirement homes, etc.)
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post #13 of 22
3/18/10 at 8:22am
Thread Starter 


Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt View Post

If you don't fill it out completely, though, a canvasser for the Census will probably swing by your home to try and get the rest of the information. At that point, just explain that you are refusing to answer further questions. IIRC they have a box to check for that. The most important thing is getting an accurate enumeration; if the number of people in the household as of April 2010 is correct, that's all they really care about because that's all that is constitutionally required. An accurate count is essential for properly apportioning House seats (and by extension, the Electoral College). The additional information is utilized for apportioning federal funding, so the more information you provide the better your local area will make out. I think it's only 10 questions this year.
 


2010.census.gov/2010census/how/questions.php

Sounds like they will fine you $100 if you don't answer all questions. Give bogus answers and they will fine you $500.
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post #14 of 22
3/18/10 at 4:35pm

Quote:
Adam will probably just get his advance letter a couple weeks after the actual form arrives.

I wouldn't be suprised.
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post #15 of 22
3/18/10 at 4:56pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Al.Anderson View Post



But why go out of your way to not provide the requested information?  Seriously, I'm curious.

I could see a reasonable debate over the request for names; but including the ages is obviously helpful.  (E.g., do we need schools or retirement homes, etc.)

Because they don't need to know any more information than how many people live in the house. And no I don't think the government should be in the school business. Public schools are a miserable failure, consuming the majority of State funds and should be eliminated.

Sorry I'll get off my soap box now.

Doug

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post #16 of 22
3/19/10 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrettB View Post

2010.census.gov/2010census/how/questions.php

Sounds like they will fine you $100 if you don't answer all questions. Give bogus answers and they will fine you $500.

The Census Bureau has the authority to recommend fines for non-compliance, but in practice it never does. Not sure if that's the case if you knowingly falsify information.
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post #17 of 22
3/19/10 at 7:17pm

I can't believe all of the add money wasted on this thing....did we really need a superbowl commercial for it?

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post #18 of 22
3/20/10 at 2:38am
Think of all the money that will be wasted by all the home visits that will have to be made because people didn't fill out the entire form.
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post #19 of 22
3/20/10 at 6:03pm
 
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post #20 of 22
3/23/10 at 9:59am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt View Post


It's more likely that they don't know your address exists. When I was in my last apartment, the Census Bureau sent us a American Community Survey addressed to "Current Resident". If you want to get a form, call the bureau toll-fee at 1-866-872-6868 and give them your address. There's places you can pick them up in person, too, but don't ask me where 'cause I don't know.

Hmmm, I file federal tax returns, so they obviously have had my address all these years. I'm not going to track them down to do their job for them.
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post #21 of 22
3/23/10 at 10:37am
I got a follow-up postcard mailing yesterday..."By now you should have received your census form...if you have not done so, please complete it and return. Your response is required by law."

So we get a letter announcing the form is coming, then a post card announcing that it should already have arrived.
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post #22 of 22
3/23/10 at 6:09pm
Yeah I got the same card.

Doug
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