STATEHOUSE (May 7, 2020) — State Reps. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) encourage all Hoosiers to respond to the 2020 Census, which is a count of the nation's population.
Everyone is required to fill out the census every 10 years by law and the information is kept confidential. The census can be filled out online at 2020Census.gov, over the phone at 844-330-2020, or by mailing back the questionnaire sent to households.
Aylesworth said the census data is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funding to communities to support education, housing, health and public safety. Census data also impacts strategic planning decisions about statewide job training, locations of new businesses, and public transportation projects.
"A number of projects, funds and resources are impacted by the census," Aylesworth said. "Hoosiers can be assured that while submitting their personal information online, it's secure and their data is necessary to help our area get access to critical funding."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to respond to the census now. According to Soliday, this will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up.
"It is crucial to get accurate population numbers to the federal government," Soliday said. "This data will shape our lives for the next 10 years. Our roads, assistance programs and many aspects of commerce in our area are effected by the information we provide in the census."
Self-responses are due by Oct. 31, 2020. Visit 2020Census.gov to learn more. Personal information cannot be used against respondents by any government agency or court.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House
District 4, which includes a portion of Porter County.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
