PROTECT THE CENSUS AND THE POST OFFICE
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both Post Office and 2020 Census.
The GOP cares only about rich and powerful and ignores needs of ordinary Americans. Trump’s demonstrated he can’t govern and his popularity’s plummeted. To win reelection and protect GOP governing majority, he needs voter suppression and a non-representative census, which could cement GOP power for decades. Hurting the most vulnerable—people of color, immigrants, and the poor is just added benefit.
Trump’s long attempted to weaponize census against Latinos and Democrats. He wants massive undercounting to dilute Democratic states’ influence in Congress and send more federal money to GOP-run states, depriving Black and Latino communities their fair share of political representation and federal funding.
To date, 60% of households responded to census; communities the GOP marginalizes are overly represented in non-responding 40%. Door-to-door visits—much harder during pandemic—hampered by funding shortages imposed pre-2016 by GOP Congress.
These problems caused Census Bureau to request extension until April, which House, but not Senate, approved--but its request’s been withdrawn.
We cannot let Trump weaponize the census to punish Democratic states and their residents. Congress must act to save our democracy.
How you can help
1. Call the Senate.
+ Script for Sen. Merkley
Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. Congress must ensure that the census produced is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is provided sufficient funding and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task. Thank you for co-sponsoring S. 4048, which will do just that, and work to create a body of experts to develop standards for assessing what the Bureau produces. At the same time, please keep trying to pass the full HEROES Act, including the $25 billion for the Post Office.
+ Script for Sen. Wyden
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | DC office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. Congress must ensure that the census produced is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is provided sufficient funding and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task. Please co-sponsor and fight for passage of S. 4048, which will do just that, and work to create a body of experts to develop standards for assessing what the Bureau produces. At the same time, please keep trying to pass the full HEROES Act, including the $25 billion for the Post Office.
2. Call the House.
+ Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. Congress must ensure that the census produced is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is provided sufficient funding and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task. Please co-sponsor and fight for passage of HR. 7034, which will do just that, work to create a body of experts to develop standards for assessing what the Bureau produces, and continue to pressure the Senate to pass the HEROES Act, including the $25 billion for the Post Office.
+ Script for Greg Walden (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. It is time for the Representative to put country over party, vote for HR. 7034—which ensures that the census is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is sufficiently funded and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task—and demand that your Senate colleagues do likewise.
+ Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. Congress must ensure that the census produced is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is provided sufficient funding and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task. Please co-sponsor and fight for passage of HR. 7034, which will do just that, work to create a body of experts to develop standards for assessing what the Bureau produces, and continue to pressure the Senate to pass the HEROES Act, including the $25 billion for the Post Office.
+ Script for Peter Defazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. Congress must ensure that the census produced is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is provided sufficient funding and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task. Please co-sponsor and fight for passage of HR. 7034, which will do just that, work to create a body of experts to develop standards for assessing what the Bureau produces, and continue to pressure the Senate to pass the HEROES Act, including the $25 billion for the Post Office.
+ Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
Trump’s war on our Constitution, democracy, and fair elections has reached new heights. He’s now sabotaging both the Post Office and the 2020 Census. Congress must ensure that the census produced is truly representative and that the Census Bureau is provided sufficient funding and given until April 30, 2021 to complete this task. Please co-sponsor and fight for passage of HR. 7034, which will do just that, work to create a body of experts to develop standards for assessing what the Bureau produces, and continue to pressure the Senate to pass the HEROES Act, including the $25 billion for the Post Office.
3. Get 2020 Ready.
Oregonians are joining with activists across the country to power a LANDSLIDE democratic victory in November 2020, from the White House to the Senate to the State Houses. Here’s how you can get involved:
Elections Power Hour weekly strategy call. Mondays at 5pm
Call Arizona voters. Thursdays, training at 5pm, calling begins at 5:30
Write letters to voters with Swing Left and Vote Forward. Saturdays 12-2pm
Write postcards to Voters of Color with Reclaim Our Vote. Sundays 3-5pm
Sources
Saving the 2020 Census Is Now Up to Congress
Trump Ramps Up His Assault on Democracy
Why Counting Black Lives Matters—The 2020 Census
Trump and Allies Think They Know Who Counts
The Trump Administration Is Weaponizing The Census. This Is How We Fight Back
With Census Count Finishing Early, Fears of a Skewed Tally Rise
2020 Census to end data collection Sept. 30, raising concerns about undercounting
