State Leaders Make Final Push For 2020 Census

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt spent part of his Friday in front of the state capitol.

“This is going to affect us for the next 10 years," he said.

The Governor is one of many state leaders making a final push for people to fill out the 2020 Census.

Friday’s event hosted by the Institute for Child Advocacy and Department of Commerce allowed Oklahomans to drive through and register.

"We're trying to get as many state employees to come by and fill this out, but this is open to the public,” said Joe Dorman, the CEO of the Institute for Child Advocacy. “We want people to show up and fill out a census form."

The Census Bureau said only about 60% of Oklahomans have self-responded to the census which is below the national average. People hired by the Census Bureau have since counted about 32% more, meaning about 8% of Oklahomans remain uncounted with only 12 days to go.

Friday, Governor Stitt also met with his state "complete count committee" and US Census Director Dr. Steven Dillingham, who was in town.

"The finish line is right there,” said Dr. Dillingham. “We can all see it. I'm sure you're going to make it, but it's still going to take some hard work in getting it done."

State leaders say in 2000, Oklahoma lost their sixth congressional seat, in part because of poor census response rates.

It's something many hope doesn't happen again and the state can get it back.

"Oklahoma is on the verge of possibly picking up a Congressional seat,” said Dorman. “We could take a seat away from California or Texas and bring it back here to Oklahoma."