This is the second of two reports on the development and cognitive testing of modified messages on American Community Survey (ACS) envelopes, letters, and a flyer in 2009 for use in 2010 during the massive 2010 Census advertising campaign and mobilization. The aim of the overall project was to develop new messages to mitigate, or at least reduce, an anticipated decline, similar to that seen during Census 2000, in ACS mail return rates for households in 2010 that would receive mailings to complete both the ACS and the census questionnaires.

This report presents results of two phases of development and cognitive testing of experimental messages on envelopes and letters in the ACS prenotice and initial and replacement questionnaire packages. The messages in the letters informed respondents that the ACS is separate from the census, is used for different purposes, and that response to both the ACS and the census is mandatory. In Phase 1, we also developed and tested new envelopes with the survey name, “THE American Community Survey,” in a new green text box centered above the address window to distinguish the ACS materials from 2010 Census materials, for use during 2010 when some households would receive both the ACS and the census materials.