| Today, August 11, is the deadline for vote in the Special Runoff election to fill the vacancy for City of Portland Commissioner, Position 2. It is too late to mail your ballot but you have until 8:00PM to drop it off at an official ballot box.
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| If you are filling out the census for your home, you should count everyone who is living there as of April 1, 2020. This includes anyone—related or unrelated to you—who lives and sleeps at your home most of the time. Illustration by Alex Chiu for Civic Life.
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Census Season Is Heating Up
If you have not yet filled out the U.S. Census, now is the time!
Respond to the Census online here.
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau embarks on a massive civic endeavor, with the sole purpose of counting everyone who draws breath in the U.S.—including citizens, non-citizens, babies, kids, adults, and elders. An accurate count means federal funding for Oregon schools, healthcare, determines how many representatives Oregon state will have in the Congress, and the number of Electoral College votes for our state.
The census has been getting a lot of press lately—the U.S. Census Bureau announced it is ending all counting efforts on September 30, a monthly earlier than previously announced. Additionally, President Trump signed an order last month that proposes excluding undocumented immigrants from the census count. While the memo is being challenged in court, this news could intimidate and deter participation by people who, by law, are eligible to take part in the census.
So what can you do? First and foremost, complete your census form! Secondly, talk to your community about the census, how it works and why an accurate count is so important! Here are four main points to share your family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances: - An accurate census count strengthens our community: it determines federal funding for hospitals, schools, affordable housing, and transportation and how many representatives Oregon state will have in Congress.
- The US Census Bureau is required to keep your information safe: there is NO question about citizenship or immigration status on the census form and by law, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. That's protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
- Completing your census form takes less than 10 minutes: There are several ways to fill out your form, you can complete it online, call, by mail, or by responding to an Census Enumerator (see below). The Census Bureau’s website also has translated their webpages into 59 languages which can be accessed here.
- If you haven’t completed your Census, you will have an enumerator knock on your door: beginning August 11, the Portland Area Census Office will send Census Takers/Enumerators to households that have not yet responded to the census. Enumerators will wear masks and follow local public health guidelines. If the Enumerator does not speak the language of the person they visit, the person may request a return visit from someone who speaks their preferred language.
Thank you for helping us all get a full count!
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We Need Your Expertise
Civic Life's Bureau Advisory Committee application is live
Share your skills and lived experience to review Civic Life's goals, program priorities, spending, and more. To be eligible, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland.
Applications are due by August 24. Find out more about this opportunity and how to apply here. |
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ICYMI
Civic Life participated in Design Portland's 2020 Festival
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Correction: Last week, Civic Life Update's article "The Power of Signs" included a broken link to Community Safety's Neighbors Together program. You can access the correct link here.
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