Poll: Nearly 1 In 5 May Not Fill Out Census Form

[Purveyor]

(01-20) 13:47 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

With the launch of the decennial census just weeks away, nearly 1 in 5 people may not participate in the high-stakes head count, citing mostly a lack of interest but also a broader distrust of government.

A poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center highlights the challenges as the Census Bureau prepares to begin its tally in March. The findings come as some groups question whether the agency's $300 million outreach effort is doing enough to reach hard-to-count communities.

"The big picture message is they've got a lot of work to do in terms of informing people," said Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center. He cited young people in particular, as well as those with less education and Hispanics who have had less exposure to the census or government.

Overall, 90 percent of those surveyed called the population count "very important" or "somewhat important" for the country. Many were also familiar with the value of the census in redistributing U.S. House seats every 10 years and distributing billions of dollars in federal aid.

Still, 12 percent of U.S. residents said they weren't sure if they would fill out the government form, and another 6 percent said they were unlikely to or definitely would not do so. These people were more likely to be young adults 18-29 and lower-income people.

Asked why they were unlikely to participate, more than half said it was because they were too busy, not interested or weren't familiar with the census. One-fourth cited distrust of government or concerns about privacy.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/01/20/national/w110031S97.DTL

[jwirr]

1. All they will achieve is that their own districts will lose representation

and funds allotted according to the census. Hopefully Democrats will not fall for this.

[krabigirl]

6. Exactly.

Which is why I hope all of the right-wing fundies around here will be scared of the evil government and not fill them out.

[galileoreloaded]

13. God, I would HATE to not feel represented.....wait.........

:crazy:

[tekisui]

2. I find it ironic that they would answer the survey saying they won't

answer a survey.

[perro azul]

3. I don't think they survey they did answer asked probing personal questions.

To calculate congressional representation doesn't require the nosy bastards to know how much money I take home.

[tekisui]

4. Don't you file taxes with those nosy bastards?

Welcome to DU, enjoy your stay.:hi:

[perro azul]

7. Different set of bastards.

Why did you say "enjoy your stay"?

[tekisui]

9. I wanted to wish you well.

:shrug:

Are you against giving info to the census?

[perro azul]

10. I am against divulging every detail of my life to a bunch of overpaid bureaucrats.

If that's against giving info to the census, I guess the answer is yes. Sorry if that's not an acceptable position here, my friend who recommended D.U. said it was not necessary to be a lockstep liberal to be a member here, and I did read the rules, the word "liberal" is not mentioned anywhere. I am a liberal by most standards but apparently not by those in force here, it seems. shrug.

[tekisui]

12. I was just asking.

Why so touchy? The census is in the Constitution, for what it's worth.

You can be whatever you want. Did someone tell you it wasn't ok to hold your opinion? You will get challenged on just about everything you say here, just a forewarning. By no means does that mean you can't say it. Speak you mind, freely, but be ready to get a response.

ETA: The census is important in determining districts, rates of poverty, education needs, and a whole host of other social services.

[pipi_k]

16. I just checked out the form online

It can't be filled out online, but the questions are there for people to examine.

There are only ten of them, and they're really not all that invasive.

Most of us give more personal information when getting a cell phone plan.

[tavalon]

20. We got the what used to be called the long form

Trust me, it wasn't ten questions. And my ex-census taker partner says we will still be getting the short form. I don't think it would have gotten filled out if he hadn't taken point man on it.

[tavalon]

14. I also don't like the probing questions

I have ADD and I suck at this sort of stuff, but one of my partners used to work for the census so we are doing ours this time with his copious help. Usually, it required much badgering. We actually got "picked" to do a more comprehensive survey this time along with the usual survey coming up.

The main thing is that as icky as it is to tell them all of this pretty personal stuff, this is how we get representation in the government, such as it is.

BTW, I know that plenty of new people are trolls but we shouldn't assume everyone with a low post count is a troll.

[tekisui]

17. Agreed on your last point.

There was a noticeable influx today. Just poking around a little.:evilgrin:

[tavalon]

21. Hmm, I just got on a bit ago

I wonder why the influx today?

[tekisui]

22. A lot of circular firing and blame.

It provides cover for others to come in and get off a few shots.

[tavalon]

23. Yeah, I saw a lot of buckshot being fished out of a lot of butts last night

Painful.

[krabigirl]

8. edit: not worth it

[perro azul]

11. I have no objection to being COUNTED, I draw the line at being probed.

They don't need to know any more than the fact I am one human citizen.
shrug...

[tavalon]

19. Welcome to DU

Yours seems to be an unpopular stance here so I'll give you a supportive post. I don't like that they want to know so much information, either. I don't quite see how them knowing minute details of my family achieves only their stated purpose. It really does seem overly invasive to me as well.

[madinmaryland]

5. They are probably the same folks that are on Medicare that don't want

a government run healthcare plan!

:rofl:

[anonymous171]

15. I hope they are teabaggers. I would love to see their electoral share shrink. nt

[pipi_k]

18. Well, all I can say is a big "thank you" to my ancestors who

did cooperate with the census takers.

The information on those census forms gave me a good place to start in finding some of my relatives, including connecting with cousins I never knew I had.

:)