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2010 Census: Cooperation with Enumerators Is Critical to a Successful Headcount

GAO-10-665T Published: Apr 30, 2010. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2010.
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Highlights

On May 1, 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) will launch its massive follow-up effort with the roughly 48 million households that did not mail back their census forms (130 million forms were delivered). As part of this nonresponse follow-up effort, over 600,000 enumerators will fan out across the country, personally contacting nonresponding housing units as many as six times in an effort to ensure everyone is counted. As requested, GAO's testimony in Los Angeles (L.A.) focuses on the importance of census participation, paying particular attention to (1) the Bureau's preparedness for nonresponse follow-up in terms of workload and staffing levels, (2) why it will be critical for Angelenos and others across the country to cooperate with enumerators during nonresponse follow-up, and (3) key steps the Bureau needs to take moving forward to ensure nonresponse follow-up is timely and accurate. The testimony is based on previously issued and ongoing GAO work.

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AccountabilityCensusData collectionDatabasesEmployeesFederal aid programsHousingLocal governmentsMunicipal governmentsNoncompliancePerformance appraisalPerformance measuresStaff utilizationState governmentsSurveysComplianceProgram goals or objectives