2020 vision

While several legal battles ensue over the Trump administration’s proposal for a citizenship question on the 2020 census, California’s main focus remains making sure its residents participate.

On April 10, Sacramento County’s Complete Count Committee hosted a job fair soliciting 200 part-time positions with other local agencies to ensure a full and accurate count.

“We have one goal in mind and that is to count every single resident of Sacramento County,” said Linda Cutler, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra took an extra step on April 5. According to a release from his office, Becerra filed a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm a district court ruling that the citizenship question was unconstitutional.

Regardless of age, skin color, housing status, documentation status and sexual orientation, Cutler said it was imperative that Sacramento County gets every single person counted in 2020. More than 25 percent of county residents went uncounted in the last census in 2010, said foundation spokesperson Vasey Coman.

Census data determines how federal grants and U.S. House seats are distributed. The 2020 census will be conducted on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“The reality is that an accurate count is critical for our community,” said Niva Flor, interim chief impact and strategy officer for the Community Foundation. “For funding vital programs and services, and for representation at every level. That’s why we’re kicking off this community-driven effort now.”