The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) and the Martha’s Vineyard Complete Count Committee (MVCC) are working together to help ensure an accurate U.S. Census count on the Vineyard. Among other efforts, the MVC and MVCC are working with schools and nonprofits “to help educate the public and assist people in filling out the census form,” a release states. The MVC recently received a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Census Division. The money is slated to hire an outreach coordinator.
“The U.S. Census happens once every 10 years, and will be used to determine the allocation of about $675 billion to the states, including about $16 billion to Massachusetts,” a release states. “That money goes to schools, hospitals, childcare services, senior centers, and other critical needs. The census also determines government redistricting at the local, state, and national levels. Ensuring an accurate census count is especially important this year, since the 2020 census has been underfunded, leading to a shortage of workers and questionnaire assistants available for on-the-ground preparation and outreach, and a decrease in the number of regional census offices. The census will officially begin in mid-March, and run through the spring.”
The MVCC is seeking volunteers to provide questionnaire assistance and other help regarding the census. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Dukes County Commissioner Keith Chatinover at kchatinover@gmail.com.
“National rhetoric surrounding immigration in recent years — and a proposed question about U.S. immigration status on the census — have raised concerns among immigrants that sharing personal information may put them or their families at risk. (It’s important to note that the immigration question will not appear on the 2020 census, and the information provided may not be shared with any other government agency),” the release states. “This year also marks the first time residents can fill out the census online, which raises concerns about broadband access and computer literacy. The online census, including questionnaire assistance, will be available in 12 non-English languages, including Portuguese, but the paper version is available only in English and Spanish.”