California Census Challenge header

Every 10 years, people across the country, including Californians, fill out the Census in order to have an accurate count of all people in the United States. The Census helps determine California’s federal funding for important community services that help support our families.

For this reason, we are launching the California Census Challenge to help increase the response rates of each of California’s 482 cities and 58 counties. The California Census Challenge’s goal is for California to have a complete and accurate count, while decreasing the need for at-home visits during the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing the gaps in Census outreach. If the current lack of responses throughout the state is not addressed, California may drastically undercount its residents, leading to a loss of funding and representation for the next ten years.

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CALIFORNIA CENSUS
CHALLENGE BREAKDOWN

All 482 cities and 58 counties in California will compete to have the highest response rate.(Next Section) The challenge will run concurrently with the key dates of enumeration up until September 30, 2020, which is also the conclusion of the 2020 Census. (Next Section) Secretary Padilla and members of the Legislature who represent winning cities and counties will award the plaques to the winners.

California cities and counties will compete against other cities and counties with similar population sizes. The top three cities and counties from each tier, including their hardest-to-count tracts, will receive a plaque honoring their hard work from the California Census Office. Awards will also be given to three cities and counties from each tier that have the largest increase in response rates throughout the duration of the competition.

Tier 1

Population size of under
100,000 residents

Tier 2

Population size of
100,000 - 500,000 residents

Tier 3

Population size of over
500,000 residents

Tier 1

Population size of under
5,000 residents

Tier 2

Population size of
5,000 - 50,000 residents

Tier 3

Population size of over
50,000 residents

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Election 2020 Community and County Resources

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  • All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2020 election. Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by October 5, 2020.
  • Voters who can vote-by-mail will help ensure safe physical distancing at voting locations.
  • Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3, 2020. Ballots returned at a secure ballot drop box or a voting location must be deposited by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020.
  • In-person voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance to those who need it.