U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

NAMBÉ – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, issued the following statement recognizing Census Day:

“An accurate count in the U.S. Census is vitally important for New Mexico. The resources our state will receive for decades to come depends on a full count of the individuals living here. On Census Day 2020, I’m encouraging every household in New Mexico to participate in the Census. It has never been safer or easier to respond on your own.

“If you haven’t responded yet online or by phone, look out for a paper form in the mail starting next week. The Census depends on voices like yours to make sure New Mexico has its fair share of support for health care, education, infrastructure, and public safety. Stand up and make your voice count.”

According to the Urban Institute, New Mexico is at great risk of an undercount with potentially as many as 36,900 residents missed. Each individual not counted could mean a loss of $3,700 per person, per year. Even a 1 percent undercount could mean a loss in millions of dollars for our state.

The questions on the Census ask basic information such as how many people live in your household, your birth date, gender, and ethnicity, and your answers are always confidential. You will never be asked for your citizenship status, social security number, or for credit card or bank numbers. Information will never be used against you or reported to law enforcement. Census takers are trained, reliable individuals collecting vital data, and you can trust them to protect your information.

Census in-person operations have been greatly reduced as a matter of public health due to the coronavirus outbreak, but you can still fill out the form online here.

More detailed information can be found on the official U.S. Census 2020 website or on the Statewide Complete Count Commission website for New Mexico-specific information.