Wisconsin’s population could well be undercounted in the 2010 Census due to inadequate instructions on the Census form, warns the League of Women Voters

In the past there have been ways people who winter in the South could indicate that their primary residence is in Wisconsin. In 1990, snowbirds could complete the census form that was delivered to their winter address by noting that they have a “usual residence elsewhere” and providing the alternate address. The Census Bureau transferred these respondents so they would be counted at the more permanent address. In 2000 the questionnaire instructed households not to report people who lived somewhere else “most of the time.” 

For 2010, Question 10 asks if a person sometimes lives elsewhere and, if so, “at a seasonal or second residence.” Even if respondents indicate a second residence, they will be counted in the southern state’s population. Meanwhile, census takers will visit their unresponsive northern homes in May and June, when most snowbirds have returned home. If the dual homeowner tells the enumerator they completed a census form while living in their southern home, they will not be counted up North, even if they live there most of the time.

To make it come out right, we're encouraging respondents NOT to complete the southern questionnaires. They should write ‘zero’ for the number of April 1 residents, put “usual residence elsewhere” somewhere on the form, and mail it back. Then they should fill out the northern address questionnaire or respond to a census taker during door-to-door canvassing. Further, they have to say that they “lived” at the northern address on April 1 – after all, they actually did, but were just away on extended vacation.