Here are some important dates reflecting the U.S. Census Bureau's operational changes:

• The Trump administration has proposed two new changes to the Census, which would have a negative impact on the count. On July 21, 2020, President Trump released a memorandum that ordered the Census Bureau to remove undocumented persons from each state's Census count for deciding legislative districts and electoral votes, once the count is complete. On August 3, the administration also announced that the Census deadline, originally scheduled for October 31st, would be moved earlier a full month to September 30th. Both changes would create an undercount that would affect public services and vital programs for the next ten years. The New Jersey Census Coalition has released two letters - one stating that all persons should be included in Census apportionment and redistricting counts, regardless of immigration status, and one calling for the Census count to continue until October 31st as previously planned.
• New Jersey Area Census Offices Have Reopened: Area offices are open and field operations have resumed throughout the state.  Partnership specialists are available to work with community partners.  Operations have resumed in accordance with federal, state and local health and safety guidelines.
• September 22-24: Homeless enumeration takes place.  Read more about this process here.

Census takers, known as "enumerators," are out knocking on doors right now, but people are still encouraged to self-respond online or over the phone as soon as possible. Responding yourself can avoid a visit from a Census in-person enumerator. The reference day of the Census (April 1, 2020) has not changed. 

More information on the Census Bureau’s current operational plan in light of COVID-19 can be found here.