Legal Question in Constitutional Law in North Carolina

American Community Survey

I just recieved my American Community Survey form. I do not wish to answer the personal questions i.e. What time I leave for work? Do I have a mortgage, if so how much? Real estate tax? mental health? I could go on and on!! This is an outrage. I thought a census was simply for head count. What will happen if I refuse to reply to this intrusive request from our federal government? Please help! Thanks . Randy


Asked on 12/31/06, 2:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: American Community Survey

The ACS serves several purposes and it will replace the "long form" in the 2010 census. Part of the reason it is being sent out now is to give it a test run before 2010.

As with any census form, you are required by law to respond fully. This is what the census website has to say about it:

"Households that receive the American Community Survey are required by law to respond. As with all other census answers, a Federal law, Title 13 of the U.S. Code, provides strong confidentiality protections for all individual information collected by the Census Bureau. Violating this law is a Federal crime with serious penalties, including a prison sentence of up to five years and a $250,000 fine."

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Answered on 12/31/06, 7:29 pm


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