The American Community Survey Office (ACSO) is currently conducting a series of related research projects around improving the American Community Survey (ACS) mail package and messaging toward potential ACS participants. This research aims to increase participation rates in the ACS and address concerns about whether the ACS is too intrusive.

This quantitative Benchmark telephone study of n=1015 US adults who generally handle the mail for their household s supports those goals by providing formative research that will help ACSO decision makers develop effective messages. The study provide s a guide for further communications research projects, including the subsequent Refinement research phase.