2020 Census Update: Counting Votes and Response Rates

(Publish 06.29.2020) From dawn to dusk to evening to night, regardless of lines and waiting times, determined voters cast their primary election ballots in-person, while exercising social distancing protocols, with masks, during a pandemic. Voters who did not vote by mail did so at polling sites scattered throughout Westchester County or not at all. Thanks to the Westchester County Board of Elections, the overwhelming majority of votes have been counted. As reported, some newcomers are in and some incumbents are out. The unofficial tally of election results is available online: https://www.westchestergov.com/boe99/ linkcounty.aspx. With Tuesday’s primary election in their rear view mirror, most winning candidates have pivoted their campaigns to the general election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2020. When campaigning for voters, candidates can show their support for the 2020 Census campaign. Responses to the call to be counted will impact legislative representation and funding for municipalities. Without an accurate count, elected officials will have a difficult time responding to constituents seeking support for schools, healthcare, infrastructure projects, and other community based services. Westchester County’s recently reported Census 2020 Response Rate of 62.6% is slightly above the U.S. Response Rate of 61.7%. However, less than 60% of several communities in Mount Vernon, Port Chester, Yonkers, Elmsford, Peekskill, Sleepy Hollow, Ossining, and New Rochelle have completed the count. Check the list of Census 2020 Response Rates by Municipality. The Census can be completed online (my2020census.gov), by phone (1-844-330-2020/English and (844) 468-2020/Spanish), or by mailing back the Census form. Every vote and Census response counts!