Social Media Toolkit

INTRODUCTION

A complete and accurate count in the 2020 census is vital to working families in every corner of our country. This information, required every 10 years by the Constitution, is used for important decision-making that affects working people—not only at the federal level, but also at the state and local levels of government. It is the basis for decisions on reapportionment of seats in the U.S. Congress, and in state and local legislative districts.

Census data also is used to determine the allocation of billions of dollars in funds for federal, state and local programs, and such services as school construction, housing and community development, and road and transportation planning. As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, state and local governments need a fair and accurate distribution of these funds.

The AFL-CIO supports the U.S. Census Bureau in its goal of assuring a complete and accurate count. Historically undercounted and hard-to-count populations must be seen and counted for this process to work.

We urge all affiliates to encourage their members to fully cooperate in the Census 2020 count, and to let their members know that all census information submitted by individuals is confidential and is not shared with other agencies.

We urge all unions and state and local labor councils to work with local Census Bureau staff in their communities to guarantee a full and accurate count—nothing less.

We have outlined a set of social media activities for you to use and share with your members and networks. This is an opportunity for the labor movement to come together and do our part to get out the 2020 census count. In this social media toolkit, you will find a selection of topics, how to participate in activities, key messaging points, suggested graphics to post and links for more resources on the 2020 census.  

#LaborCounts Digital Census Actions

Join the AFL-CIO, affiliate unions, constituency groups and allied partners for #LaborCounts Digital Census Actions. We encourage partner organizations to join us through the end of the enumeration period in reaching out to union members and households across the country to ensure they get counted in the 2020 census. Our members are diverse and representative of many communities that are among the country’s hardest to count. Our members come from different ethnic and racial backgrounds, have varied immigration statuses, speak many languages, live in differing family sizes, and are part of a variety of communities—making it critical we do our part to ensure a fair and accurate count of every union member and their household.

In the face of the public health crisis brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the ongoing challenges that the Trump administration continues to create for census takers; ensuring a fair and accurate count of every person living in the United States presents a particular uphill battle; however, despite these obstacles, the AFL-CIO and our partners throughout the country are dedicated to participating in digital actions as a part of our commitment to making sure our community is accurately counted in the 2020 census.

What is the Census, and Why is it Important?

• The census is the cornerstone of our democracy. Census data is used to determine funding for key federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, school lunch programs, Title 1 school funding and other critical programs that directly impact our communities.
• Census data also helps determine political power and representation in Congress, as well as the implementation of crucial civil rights policies.
  

#LaborCounts Digital Census Actions will focus on:

• Dispelling myths about who should be counted in the 2020 census
• Affirming that excluding undocumented immigrants from the 2020 Census counts used for congressional apportionment  is unconstitutional and that a primary intent of the order is to suppress census participation to skew census data
• Reminding people that
• Delivering compelling messages adapted to the current circumstances surrounding census operations amid COVID-19.
• Reminding people that paper forms began arriving in the mail in early April and explaining the process of filling out the form while dispelling any confusion on how to answer specific questions, who should be included on the form and what happens with the collected data.
• Using existing tools, messages and resources to reiterate that all data are safe, secure and confidential, and that there will be no question on citizenship or immigration status.
• Continuing to remind union households that everyone, regardless of age (so long as they were born on or before April 1, 2020), must be counted on the form—with an emphasis on counting young children.
• Reaching young workers and key influencers in the household.
• Hosting a variety of opportunities to engage members across social and digital platforms to inform them on the basics of the census, critical deadlines and the general importance of filling out the form.

Key Messaging Points

• In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau has extended the self-response period through Oct. 31.
• Self-responding to the census is the easiest way to make sure you are counted.
• Self-response is quick, easy and can be done online, by phone or by mail.
• Residents can self-respond to the census online at my2020census.gov or over the phone in English by dialing 844-330-2020, or in Spanish at 844-468-2020.
• Households do not need an ID code to respond to the census online or by phone.
• If you make a mistake or forget to count household members on your census questionnaire, you can correct it by calling the Census Bureau at 301-763-INFO (4636) or 1-800-923-8282, or going online at my2020census.gov and entering the information without the code. This is called non-ID response, and when the Census Bureau receives these, it has back-end processing that will assemble a complete record for each household and delete duplicates.
• Taking action by self-responding to the census is critical, given that the Census Bureau has had to suspend all field operations.
• As we face this public health crisis, participating in the census now helps secure future funding for our communities.  
• Census participation will help ensure our communities get their fair share of funding for schools, hospitals, and other education and health programs we need for strong families.
• The census is the foundation of our democracy, fortifying the strength our society requires to meet such extraordinary situations as the one we face today. Accurately understanding our population helps us rise to the occasion in moments like these.
• Public health experts, government officials and first responders all rely on population data to make critical decisions in crises like COVID-19.
• Responding to the census is a way for residents to do their part in maintaining the functionality of our government and society, as population data will be pertinent during our recovery from this public health crisis.

#LaborCounts Digital Action

[DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS HERE]

TAKE ACTION:

Hashtags and Handles

Hashtags: #LaborCounts #Census2020 #2020Census #1uCounts

• Theme: #LaborCounts 
• Key Messages:

• Excited to join the Labor Census Week of Action! Did you know that census data helps determine more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding for education, health care and housing programs? Join us in this effort to get out the count! #LaborCounts #2020Census
• Labor Counts! Join the AFL-CIO in ensuring every working person is counted in the 2020 census.

• Graphics: 

• Theme: People of Color: Representation and the Census
• Key Messages:

• The United States is becoming more diverse every day. We need to make sure the census reflects our communities and our people. Do your part—answer the  census today and rest assured your data is confidential.
• In 2010 the census undercounted more than 1.5 million people of color—but this year we have the power to change that. Stand up and be counted!

• Graphics:

• Theme: Women’s Empowerment and the Census
• Key Messages:

• This #Census2020, remember that children count, too! Leaving them out of the census may reduce the amount of federal funding for programs like Head Start, WIC and more!
• The children in our lives hold a special place in our hearts and households. Don’t leave them out of #Census2020! Children and families cannot afford to miss out on the vital programs that census data help fund.
• Census data helps determine funding for critical programs that women depend on like WIC, child care, education and Medicaid. Nationally, more than 60% of adult Medicaid recipients are women.

• Graphics:

• Theme: LGBTQ: Be Proud. Be Counted.
• Key Messages:

• Your presence is power! 💪🏾 Don’t let social distancing erase our community in the #2020Census. You can respond by mail, online or by phone. Stand up and be counted!
• Be Proud. Be Seen. Be Counted.
• Download the 2020 Census FAQ for Queer Working People HERE.
• Use this link to find information on the “Queer the Census 2020” campaign and important information for reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community: www.thetaskforce.org/queerthecensus.html

• Graphics: 

• Theme: Millennials and Young Workers
• Key Messages:

• Now that you’re staying home practicing social distancing, why not fill out the census? ✅ You can complete the census from home by mail 📩, online 💻 at https://my2020census.gov/ or by phone 📲 844-330-2020.
• By 2025 millennials will make up the majority of the workforce, so it’s important that we get counted now to make a difference then.
• By 2025 millennials will make up the majority of the workforce. We need to be counted now in order to make a difference later.

• Graphics:

• Theme: Phone a Friend
• Key Message:

• The #2020Census is safe, confidential and easy to complete. It took me less than 10 minutes. But if you get stuck on a question or need help, call me.

• Graphics:

• Theme: Count Your Congregation
• Key Message:

• Download the faithful census toolkit from Faith in Public Life HERE.

Additional Graphics: