Mayor’s Column

Mayor’s Column

While our focus has understandably been on facing the unique challenge of the coronavirus, we should be mindful that we are in the midst of an important United States Census.

Every 10 years since 1790, the United States has undertaken the monumental task of counting the population. An accurate Census count is very important as the data obtained is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives and to draw congressional and state legislative districts. Each year, Census data helps determinefederal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction and education.

The goal of the 2020 Census is a complete and accurate count of everyone living in the United States and its five territories. You should count yourself at the place where you were living and sleeping most of the time as of April 1, 2020 (Census Day). The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live and so much more.

As of May 14, only 59.1% of the population of the U.S. has responded to the Census survey. In New Jersey, the response rate is 61%. Camden County’s response rate is 63.1% and Voorhees Township’s response rate is 67.4%. As such, 32.6% of our residents have not yet responded.  

It is not too late to complete your 2020 Census. The quickest way to respond is online at my2020census.gov with your Census ID, which easily links your response with your address. However, you can respond without a Census ID and still be linked with your address. You can also complete your Census survey by phone with customer service representatives available every day from 7a.m. to 2a.m. Customer service representatives are available in English at 844-330-2020 and in Spanish at 844-468-2020. A dozen other languages are available and can be found at my2020census.gov at the language support page.

The 2020 Census asks a few simple questions about you and everyone who was living with you on April 1, 2020. Please know that it is against the law for the Census Bureau to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or your household. By law, your Census responses cannot be used against you and can be used only to produce statistics.

Be on the lookout for scams. The Census Bureau will never ask you for your full Social Security number, your bank account or credit card numbers, anything on behalf of a political party or for money or donations. ​

If you have not yet completed your Census form, please do so as soon as possible. If you have questions,visit my2020census.gov or call the Census Bureau at 884-330 -2020.

** The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Friday, June 5 from 2p.m. – 7p.m.
at the William G. Rohrer Fitness Center Virtua Voorhees Campus at 2309 Evesham Road. Donations are by appointment only. To schedule, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Be a hero and donate.

** Due to Covid-19, kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year will not be in person and will take place on-line. Any child who will turn five years of age on or before October1, 2020 is eligible for kindergarten admission in September2020. You must complete the pre-registration application at https://genesis.voorhees.k12.us/genesis/openReg. A staff member will contact you for additional information after the pre-registration is complete. For more information, visit https://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/.