Federal Statistical System Public Opinion Survey

Q1. Every ten years, the United States Census Bureau conducts a nationwide census, or a count of all individuals living in the United States.  If the Census were held today, how likely would you be to provide your census information? Would you say you…definitely would, probably would, might or might not, probably would not, or definitely would not?

Read Statement:

Next, I’d like to ask you some questions about hiring practices and get your opinion.

Q2:

In general, which of the following comes closest to your views about hiring people for jobs…? (rotate 1 &2)

1 People should be considered for jobs they are qualified for, even if they have served time in prison (OR)

2 People who have served time in prison should not be allowed to work in certain types of jobs.

Read statement:

The Census Bureau hires temporary employees to visit people’s homes to collect census data and to process data back at the offices.  I would like to get your views about some potential hiring practices for the Census.

Q3. If the Census Bureau considered everyone applying for temporary jobs, including people who had prior criminal convictions, would that make you more likely to trust the Census Bureau, less likely to trust the Census Bureau, or would it make no difference?

(Randomly assign people to receive the positive or negative version of Q4 and Q5)

Q4. If people who are hired by the Census Bureau to process information collected during the census have (not) been screened for prior criminal convictions, would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?

Q5. If people who are hired by the Census Bureau to conduct interviews at people’s homes have (not) been screened for prior criminal convictions, would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?

Read Statement:

If the Census Bureau was hiring people to conduct interviews at people’s homes, please tell me if each of the following hiring practices would make you move likely to provide your census information, less likely, or if it would make no difference. How about…?

(Randomly assign respondents to receive either V1 or V2 of all questions; randomize the order of Q6-Q8)

Q6v1. If the Census Bureau considered everyone applying for a job, including people who have served time in prison for violent crimes? Would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?

Q6v2. If the Census Bureau did not hire people applying for a job if they have served time in prison for violent crimes? Would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?

Q7v1. What if the Census Bureau considered everyone applying for a job, including people who have served time in prison for crimes including dishonesty, like fraud? (Read if necessary: would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?)

Q7v2. What if the Census Bureau did not hire people applying for a job if they have served time in prison for crimes including dishonesty, like fraud? (Read if necessary: would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?)

Q8v1. How about if the Census Bureau considered everyone applying for a job, including people who have served time in prison for sexual crimes? (Read if necessary: would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?)

Q8v2. How about if the Census Bureau did not hire people applying for a job if they have served time in prison for sexual crimes? (Read if necessary: would that make you more or less likely to provide your census information, or would it make no difference?)