MacArthur: Census Bureau Must Notify Towns about Canvassing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom MacArthur is urging the Census Bureau to notify towns in advance of canvassing activity in their area. This issue was brought to the Congressman’s attention by local seniors who were concerned after seeing representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau—people they did not recognize—walking in their neighborhoods and knocking on doors causing the seniors to call local law enforcement.

New Jersey’s Third District is home to more than 140,000 residents over 65 years of age. This is the highest senior population of any congressional district in New Jersey and one of the highest in the entire United States.

Congressman MacArthur wrote, “I would like to request that the Bureau notify relevant county and local governments in advance of canvassing activity in their area. This will allow those government agencies to let their residents know that they should expect to see individuals walking in their neighborhood and perhaps knocking on their door. This will give residents, especially seniors and those who live alone, some added peace of mind.”

 

March 19, 2018

Hon. Ron Jarmin, Interim Director

U.S. Census Bureau

4600 Silver Hill Road

Washington, DC 20233

 

Dear Director Jarmin,

I’m contacting you today to address a concern brought to my attention by seniors in New Jersey’s Third Congressional District.

In recent weeks, representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau have begun canvassing in several towns within my district. Senior citizens and residents who live alone, are concerned by the sight of people they do not recognize walking in their neighborhood or knocking on their door. As a result, many of these people will refuse to answer the door and some will notify local law enforcement. This outcome is a drain on law enforcement resources and decreases the likelihood of Bureau representatives collecting valuable data.

Based on the Census Bureau’s own data, my district is home to more than 140,000 residents over 65 years of age. This is the highest senior populations of any congressional district in New Jersey and one of the highest in the entire United States.

For these reasons, I would like to request that the Bureau notify relevant county and local governments in advance of canvassing activity in their area. This will allow those government agencies to let their residents know that they should expect to see individuals walking in their neighborhood and perhaps knocking on their door. This will give residents, especially seniors and those who live alone, some added peace of mind.

Thank you for your attention to my request. I look forward to working with you on this matter.

Sincerely,

Tom MacArthur,

Member of Congress

 

Camille M. Gallo

Communications Director

Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-3)

Phone: (202) 225-4765