The 2020 Michigan “Be Counted” U.P. Virtual Town Hall event will be held on Thursday afternoon.
It will highlight the convenience of completing the census and the important benefits it brings to communities across the U.P. The aim is to help boost participation in 2020.
It is scheduled to be held from 4:00 until 5:00 Eastern time at www.facebook.com/MiCensus
The U.P. is highly at risk of being undercounted in the 2020 Census, federal data show. All counties in the U.P. – except Marquette – are more than 10% behind their 2010 response rate. The counties of Alger, Keweenaw and Ontonagon have the most ground to make up with each being 18% or more behind their 2010 finish.
These people are scheduled to take part:
State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock
Marquette Mayor Jenna Smith
Michigan Lt. Gov.Garlin Gilchrist
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
Michigan 2020 Census Director Kerry Ebersole Singh
Marquette Peter White Public Library Director Andrea Ingmire
Victoria Leonhardt, Grow and Lead Center for Youth Development
Of the 15 counties in the Upper Peninsula, only three have crossed the 50% “Be Counted” threshold: Marquette (54.6%), Delta (52.9%) and Dickinson (56.2).
Keweenaw County’s 17.0% response rate thus far ranks as the lowest in the state. Mackinac County, which had a 2010 response rate of 37.3%, currently shows 24% participation. Additional U.P. counties that are underperforming in comparison with 2010 include Chippewa (40.8% currently; 52.8% in 2010); Luce (48.6% in 2010 vs. 33.5% currently); and Schoolcraft (49.6% in 2010 vs. current 39% participation).
The U.P. 2020 Census “Be Counted” Town Hall was initially planned as a public forum. The event has now become an online town hall to comply with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order to help mitigate the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Each of the dignitaries participating in the U.P. virtual town hall will appear on camera remotely to ensure safe social distancing protocols.
Statewide, more than 4.3 million Michigan residents are estimated to be hard to count or less likely to complete the 2020 census, as measured by federal data on expected response rates. In 2010, 78% of the state’s population completed the census. The Michigan 2020 Census campaign’s goal is 82% participation statewide.
According to Director Singh, “Michigan needs to increase participation by at least 10 points by or before April 30 to stay on track for meeting that goal.”
The campaign’s goal is to communicate the importance of completing the census, dispel myths, maximize participation and promote understanding of how completing the census is more convenient than ever before by mail, by phone and – for the first time – online.
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