By Stumpy
Hmmm….. I think you’re right, Christopher. I believe I don’t see a requirement either under federal law to actually return the census form–it’s only a violation of federal law to refuse or neglect to answer questions! ha ha (See Title 13, Section 221)
Now, census workers might still come to your house, and, in that case, it appears that one would then be required by Title 13, Section 221 to answer questions asked. HOWEVER, subsection (a) only applies if the questions are asked by an “authorized officer or employee.” You could have some REAL fun with this one.
When hired to work for the Census Bureau, employees must sign a Sworn Affidavit of Nondisclosure (of private or confidential information). How many census workers walking around have a copy of a signed, sworn affidavit, showing their oaths of non-disclosure so we can determine if they are “authorized officers or employees?” I’d be surprised if there were any at all.
Below is a copy of Section 221, the census oath of non-disclosure, and some upcoming key dates regarding the census form.
Stumpy
p.s. I posted a comment here, too, to answer someone’s question about the census form:
http://www.dianahsieh.com/blog/2010/03/census.shtml#comments
Census Oath of Non-Dislcosure:
“I will not disclose any information contained in the schedules, lists, or statements obtained for or prepared by the Census Bureau to any person or persons either during or after employment.”
TITLE 13
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§ 221. Refusal or neglect to answer questions; false answers
How Current is This?
(a) Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in connection with any census or survey provided for by subchapters I, II, IV, and V of chapter 5
(b) Whoever, when answering questions described in subsection (a) of this section, and under the conditions or circumstances described in such subsection, willfully gives any answer that is false, shall be fined not more than $500.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no person shall be compelled to disclose information relative to his religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body.
*March 2010*
Census forms are mailed or delivered to households
*April 2010*
National Census Day—use this day as a point of reference for sending your completed forms back in the mail
*April – July 2010*
Census takers visit households that did not return a form by mail
*December 2010*
By law, the Census Bureau delivers population information to the President for apportionment