Though it might be tempting to ignore the Census 2020 survey, local officials and Governor Kay Ivey are warning residents that not participating can affect the state in multiple ways.

“We as Alabamians have a tremendous opportunity to positively affect the future of our state and our children by simply taking about 5 minutes to say ‘I Count’ and completing our census forms in 2020,” Ivey said in a statement Thursday.

The federal census count isn’t until next spring, but the governor and other officials want to spread awareness of its importance now. The governor recently kicked off the “Alabama Counts” outreach initiative in an attempt to gain maximum participation.

Alabama’s population helps determine how much the state receives in federal funding. According to a George Washington University study, Alabama receives about $1,600 per person in federal funding for Medicaid, senior centers, infrastructure and other programs or grants.

Nancy Robertson, executive director of Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments, said TARCOG receives federal funds to support transportation alternatives programs, health insurance counseling and even their work with major programs such as those involving the new Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing plant.

“If our population is less, then there’s just that much less money for us,” Robertson said. “It’s those kinds of projects that might suffer.”

Alabama’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives could also be affected by the census. If the population doesn’t meet a certain mark, Alabama could lose a member of Congress.

“If we lose one of those people, we’ll have less input and less influence in federal matters,” Robertson said.

Alabama last lost a congressman in 1973, when the 1970 census resulted in a removal of the state’s eighth district. The district included Limestone County, which is now part of Alabama’s fifth congressional district.

Getting the word out

Robertson said TARCOG will be working with senior centers in Limestone County to help get the word out about the upcoming census. At the state level, Ivey introduced the state’s official 2020 census website, census.alabama.gov, to make it easier for people to fill out their census survey.

“The new Alabama Counts website is designed to serve as an information and resource hub for community leaders, groups and individual Americans,” according to a press release. “New features and resources will be added regularly over the next year.”

Census Day

Census Day 2020 is set for April 1, 2020. Starting in mid-March 2020, households can expect a mailed invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions on how to participate. Every household will have the option of responding to the survey online, by mail or by phone, though online responses are encouraged.

Areas that are less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire with their invitation. A reminder letter should arrive between March 16–24, 2020.

If no response is received, a reminder postcard will be sent March 26–April 3, followed by another reminder letter with a paper questionnaire April 8–16.

A final reminder will arrive April 20–27. If you haven’t responded by then, a volunteer may come knocking to help you respond in person.