The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and township officials across the state are urging everyone in the commonwealth to fill out the U.S. Census form and make sure friends, family, and neighbors are also counted.

Residents can respond to the form by mail, phone, or online until Sept. 30.

Census takers are also going door to door throughout Pennsylvania.

The nation is entering the final weeks to get everyone counted in the 2020 Census by the Sept. 30 deadline.

With critical funding to our communities at stake, it is important that every Pennsylvanian is counted.

Because the U.S. Constitution mandates a census count every 10 years, PSATS, in conjunction with township officials statewide, promoted Constitution Day (Sept. 17) as Township CENSUS 2020 Response Day.

It only takes 10 minutes to respond to the 2020 Census, yet the results will impact our communities for the next 10 years.

We need everyone’s help to ensure that communities receive their fair share of federal public funding and influence.

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into Pennsylvania every year for the next decade for essential programs and services, including health care, food assistance, education, transportation, housing, and economic development.

Pennsylvania receives $26.8 billion annually in federal funding or about $2,000 per Pennsylvanian per year.

In addition, the census count will determine how many seats Pennsylvania will have in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade and how U.S. congressional and state legislative districts are redrawn.

Pennsylvanians who have not responded to the 2020 Census should expect a census enumerator to contact them in person, over the phone, or by email (from 2020census@subscriptions.census.gov).

Census takers are required to wear masks and follow local public health guidelines when visiting in person.

Also, all census workers must carry a valid ID badge with their photo, U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date.

Residents may call 800-923-8282 to check if a visitor works for the census.

The census is safe and secure.

Census answers can’t be used against someone, and the U.S. Census Bureau cannot release any information that identifies individuals.

Data security is managed by security experts operating at the highest levels.

Your voice matters in shaping Pennsylvania’s future.

For more information and resources related to the 2020 U.S. Census, visit 2020census.gov or pa.gov/census.