“We will live with the consequences of this undercount for the next decade.” Kendra Miller Montana Districting and Apportionment Commissioner

Montana would lose $9.7 million per year in federal funding if there is a 1% undercount in the 2020 census, according to a report released Thursday by several House of Representatives committees.

Census data is used to apportion federal funding for services, including education, medical care, foster care, roads and public transportation. The data also informs congressional, state and local government representation.

After temporarily halting field operations in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in April, the Census Bureau announced it would extend the deadline for counting people from July 31 to Oct. 31. However, in August the Bureau said it would move its deadline back to Sept. 30.

We are Looking for Volunteers to Help Us Reach as Many Montanans as Possible. Montana Census Phone Banks on Tuesday, Sept. 14th from 5-8pm and Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5-8pm

This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to make a difference!