Alabama Governor Kay Ivey held a News Conference Tuesday morning urging the residents of the state to fill out and return their 2020 Census forms.

When the Census was conducted back in 2010, 72% of Alabamians participated – and, if we see that participation percentage decrease in 2020, we are risking a potential congressional seat as well as over $13 billion in federal funding.

Census data drives funding used for Assistance Programs that support children, health care and education along with rural development and more. 

A few programs supported by federal dollars include school lunch programs, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children and Section 8 Housing – as well as Community Service Block Grants and Dislocated Worker Grants.

Census packets were mailed to Alabama homes in mid-March – and that form has 10 simple questions and typically takes six minutes or less to complete.  Every resident of Alabama is encouraged to complete the form and mail it in.  The form can also be completed on-line via computer or smartphone at my2020census.gov or call -1-844-330-2020.

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell was also on-hand to introduce some upcoming initiatives designed to increase participation in the Census:

The deadline to complete the Census form is October 31st.

Census takers will conduct non-response follow-ups beginning August 11th.

Visit census.alabama.gov for more information