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Our Goals

MALDEF’s census initiative focuses on encouraging Latino participation in the 2010 Census through partnerships with community-based organizations, and a national and targeted media campaign.

MALDEF has launched this comprehensive, nationwide education campaign to:

• Inform the Latino community about the importance of the 2010 Census and its implications for civil rights;
• Encourage all members of our “hard to count” communities to complete their census forms and take charge of their political future;
• Empower Latinos of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

What can I do to make sure everyone is counted?

• Talk to my family, friends, and neighbors about getting counted. The Census is easy, important, and confidential.
• Download and distribute the MALDEF Census Palm Card
• Learn more about the Census by inviting a speaker from the Census Bureau to speak to my organization about how to answer the questions.
• Promote a message of inclusion: Everyone must be counted regardless of age, citizenship status, gender, race or education level.
• Partner with my church, neighborhood association, and/or school’s PTA. Have Census awareness meetings with parents in schools, school-age and university students, and senior citizens.
• Ask my community leaders (faith leader, city councilperson, county/parish representatives, school board members, state representative, etc.) whether they have a plan to promote Census 2010 for their constituents.
• Display a sample Census form in public places and businesses so people can become familiar with the ten simple questions. Download the sample here.
• Organize a neighborhood awareness campaign with community partners to motivate neighbors to fill out the form and mail it in by April 1.