COUNTY NEWS
The US Constitution mandates (Article 1, Section 2) that a headcount occur every ten years of everyone residing in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas of the United States. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. The population totals from the census determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. States also use the totals to redraw their legislative and school districts.
The next census occurs in 2020. Census data is used in the distribution of approximately $675 billion in federal funding to communities each year. The 2020 Census, for the first time, will offer self-response via online, by phone or by mail.
The Census Bureau has established a Complete Count Committees (CCC) program to create awareness in communities around the country and utilize local knowledge, influence and resources to educate communities and promote the census through locally based, targeted outreach efforts. On August 27, 2019, Council adopted Resolution No. 19-20 creating a 2020 Census Complete Count Committee to plan and conduct local educational initiatives, publicity and promotional activities to increase community awareness and participation in 2020 Census and to work with the Census Bureau and the New Mexico 2020 Statewide Complete Count Commission.
Council is now seeking members for this seven-member committee. The committee should be diverse and representative of the harder to count populations. The following groups and/or focus areas are desired:
- Community-based organizations
- Local school district including preschools
- Local businesses
- Higher education
- National Laboratory
- Media
- Youth services
- Health care providers
- Local pueblos
- Charitable organizations
- Renters
- Senior Citizens
- Churches
Applicants should submit a one-page letter of interest which includes their name, address, phone number and e-mail address, name of their employer (if applicable), any civic or community organizations or applicable focus areas from the list above, and a brief explanation about why they would like to serve on the Complete Count Committee.
The committee’s appointment is tentatively set for consideration at the October 29, 2019 Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Applicants do not need to be present at the meeting.
E-mail letters of interest to lacmanager@lacnm.us or drop it off at the County Council’s office (1000 Central Ave, Suite 350, inside the Municipal Building). The deadline for letters of interest is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2019. Questions? Contact Linda Matteson, Assistant to the County Manager and Census Coordinator for Los Alamos County, at (505) 663-1750.