Who's That at Your Door? Could Be the Boston Census

By Sara Jacobi

If you didn't fill out a city census form by mail, expect to hear a knock on your door this summer.

Boston announced this week it has started its annual door-to-door component of the annual project, which is used each year to verify voting lists. 

This new door-to-door effort targets those residents who have not yet responded.

Listing officers will be beginning in Ward 12, in Roxbury and work their way through Dorchester to Ward 17, then moving on to other neighborhoods.

Failure to respond to the listing can result in a voter’s status being designated as “inactive," which can result in delays the next time the voter goes to the polls, according to a city announcement. 

How to Know if It's Legit

The city said the listing officers coming door-to-door will all be wearing photo ID badges and orange vests issued by the city. All officers will be working as part of a team, and Boston Police will be notified when teams are working in a given neighborhood. 

• Collect money
• Sign residents up for services
• Collect social security, bank account information or credit card numbers

If you haven't yet completed your listing, you can call 617-635-3767 or download a form from the city website and send it in. Contact the Election Department with questions at 617-635-4634.