Maplewood Mayor Wants Residents To 'Get Counted'

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - The 2020 Census is coming and Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca wants to make sure residents get counted.

"The Census is critically important to Maplewood. It determines how much federal and state grant money Maplewood receives and it is used to configure the districts for state and Congressional elected officials," DeLuca said.

Ten years ago, DeLuca noted Maplewood had 80 percent of residents sending in their Census forms.

"In 2020, you'll be able to complete an on-line Census form," DeLuca said.

In March households will receive a postcard invitation to respond on-line. Those who don't answer will receive a paper form in the mail. If a household still does not respond, a census taker will knock on the door, DeLuca said.

"The Supreme Court has ruled that the citizenship question will be prohibited. Your responses will not be used by the government for immigration enforcement or property code compliance," DeLuca said. "All we want is a good and complete count of Maplewood's population."

DeLuca said the Township will be establishing a Census Committee to get the word out in the community and encourage residents to respond and is looking for volunteers.

Those who want to be involved can email V.DeLuca@twp.maplewood.nj.us.

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