Tulsa City Leaders Push To Get Everyone Counted In Final Hours Of Census

After months of outreach, research and door to door meetings, the 2020 US Census counting period is finally coming to a close.

At 11:59 p.m. Hawaii standard time Thursday night, or about 5 a.m. Friday our time, you can no longer register for the census. The deadline comes after a period of extensions and court battles.

"Deadlines have moved around a lot,” said Kyle Ofori, the Director of Community Partnerships for the city of Tulsa. “Before the pandemic, it was the end of July. Most recently it was the end of October."

Now with only hours to go, the city of Tulsa is making one final push to get Tulsans signed up. On Thursday, they held outreach events at areas of town that have low response rates, areas like the Western Pines Apartments in West Tulsa.

"A lot of folks have either misconceptions about what the Census is about or they just don't know why it's so important,” said Ofori. “But it's really an investment in our community for the next ten years."

In addition to signing up, residents could also pick up free food at a food truck.

Patience Arnold-Ouk lives at the complex and filled out the census online after receiving a reminder on her door.

"I know it’s good for the community when you actually put your name in and gives it more resources so I did it online and its actually the easiest way I've ever done it,” said Arnold-Ouk.

The city said it's running about 1 percentage-point below the 2010 response rate, something Ofori hopes they can get up with hours to go.

"It doesn't matter your age, your background, or even if you're a citizen of the United States or not, you should be counted. You count," said Ofori.

You can still fill out the census by visiting the website here.