The 2026 Census Test will be one of the most important dress rehearsals leading up to the 2030 Census—and it’s critical that community-based organizations are involved early, especially if your area is selected as a test site.

This is your chance to shape how future census operations work in real communities.

Here’s how you can help make the test a success:

✔ Support GOTC-style outreach in communities included in the test area
✔ Promote hiring for local positions like address listers, enumerators, and support staff
✔ Educate residents about the purpose of the test and build trust in the process
✔ Provide feedback to the Census Bureau on any issues that arise—especially those affecting historically undercounted groups
✔ Collaborate with local officials and partners to identify barriers to participation or response

Even though it’s “just a test,” this effort helps determine what works—and what doesn’t—before the count goes nationwide in 2030. Your early engagement can help ensure that hard-to-count communities are not left behind.