The Census Bureau began selections and background checks for Address Canvassing field staff on May 3. As of the end of May, more than 425,000 people have started the application process to become temporary workers for the 2020 Census. More than 370,000 of those total applicants have completed the assessments, which exceeds the recruiting goal for this point in time by nearly 170,000. The Census Bureau will select between 66,600 and 78,500 staff for the In-Field Address Canvassing operation, which will begin on August 18. The field staff include both the census field supervisors and the listers needed to support production and quality control listing.

Space was accepted for the Birmingham, Alabama area census office (ACO) in May. This completes space acceptance for the 40 Wave 1 ACOs (those designated for In-Field Address Canvassing). The Census Bureau has staff in place in the Atlanta Regional Census Center to support the In-Field Address Canvassing operation while work continues to get the Birmingham ACO ready for business. Preparations are proceeding as needed. All other Wave 1 ACOs are ready for business.

The creative testing for the 2020 Census advertising campaign materials is now complete. The last of 122 focus groups across the country was completed on May 9. The focus groups’ feedback will ultimately help refine the final advertisements used in the 2020 Census communications campaign.

More than 650 proposals from media vendors for media buys have been submitted to the Integrated Communications Contractor, Team Y&R. Media vendors were able to submit proposals through May 29. The Census Bureau approved the final 2020 Census print advertising templates on May 29.