Township officials began a special campaign on Friday to encourage Weehawken residents to fill out their census forms.
Although the deadline to mail the forms back was April 1, the Census Bureau will still accept forms through the end of month. Those who don’t get them in by May might get a visit to their homes from the government to find out the population information they need.
“We can’t overemphasize its importance,” said Mayor Richard Turner. “Especially in these tough economic times. Find the form and send it in.”
The population information will tell the government how to allocate federal funding – spent on roads, parks, and other public services – and where to draw lines for political districts.
Turner said the township currently has a return rate of 53 percent. Even though this is higher than the county percent of 51, it is down 10 percent from the same time in the last census.
Census information is privileged and cannot be used to track income tax or immigration status.
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Turner is hoping that every interaction a resident has with a municipal employee will include the phrase, “Did you fill out your census form?”
The one-page census questionnaire began arriving in homes a month ago and asks the number of residents in each household, their ages, and ethnicity.
and housing issues
Turner said that some residents may have been confused because of the return address that shows on their envelope. Residents may have noticed Union City listed as the return address on their envelope and are afraid if they fill it out, thinking their information will be counted towards Union City.
However, Turner said that as long as the address on the information inside of the envelope says Weehawken, it’s fine.
The Census Bureau uses a central post office for return addresses on the envelope. Weehawken only has a post office annex, the nearest central post office is in Union City.
“It’s been a problem throughout the country when people see that,” said Turner. “It’s irrelevant that it shows Union City on the envelope.”
Why the information is necessary
Turner said with the tremendous recent cuts at the state level, federal aid is even more important now. He added that a particular area of importance for Weehawken this time around is to make sure that new housing is accounted for, including buildings that have gone up along the waterfront and others that have been converted.
Approximately six buildings that were originally factories are now housing. Officials will be visiting those sites to make sure all new housing is picked up in the census.
Worries over income, immigration status
Turner said some residents have expressed concerns that their information will be leaked for income tax or immigration information.
“By federal law, census information is completely privileged to the census office only,” said Turner. “It cannot be used for any other purpose; people shouldn’t be afraid of that.”
There is no question regarding citizenship status on the survey.
Turner said that those who don’t fill the form out and send it in will receive a knock on their door from a census worker in the next couple of weeks.
“We’re going to help track everyone down,” said Turner. “Because we want an accurate count.”
Federal law allows the government to implement a stiff, but rarely enforced, $5,000 fine for those who still choose not to complete the form after a home visit.
How to proceed
The city is providing census information and assistance at the Senior Center, 201 Highwood Ave., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and at the Weehawken Public Library on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents should visit one of these places to see someone in person about any language issues, assistance in completing the form, or to be advised what to do if the form has been lost or was never received.
Residents can also call the library at (201) 863-7823 or the senior center at (201) 319-6059.
For more information, contact the nationwide census information line at (866) 872-6868. Information is also available in Spanish at (866) 928-2010.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.