For the 24th time in our nation’s history, the federal government is carrying out its constitutional mandate to number all the people of this nation. The reason for the census is simple: the information allows the federal government to equalize representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

While each state has two U.S. Senators, the number of members of the U.S. House accorded each state fluctuates with rises and declines in the population of each state. Over the past two census cycles, North Carolina picked up a couple of House seats, raising the total North Carolina presidential electors to the current number of 15. North Carolina currently has 13 House members plus two Senators.

According to an article by Kristy Bock, the tri-county area composed of Greene, Jones, and Lenoir counties is seriously lagging in numbering its residents. As of Aug. 27, the national self-response rate for the 2020 Census stood at 64.7 percent. The response rate for the state of North Carolina is only 60.6 percent. Sadly, the response rate of our area has been even worse. Only 57.7 percent of Lenoir County residents have responded. Greene County's response stands at 55 percent, and Jones County is at 52.9 percent.

Compare those numbers to the top five states, in order: Idaho, West Virginia, Washington, Hawaii, and Kansas. Those five states have response rates topping 95 percent. Idaho is at 98.4 percent as of Sept. 7, 2020.

I opened a column regarding the 2000 census with these words:

“Define irony. Irony is naming April 1, also known as April Fools’ Day, as ‘Census Day.’”

“Now, please do not misunderstand me. Counting the number of citizens of this country every 10 years is an important and constitutional task. After all, the United States is dynamic. Population shifts, and where the people go, the representation in the U.S. House of Representatives follows.

“I absolutely urge each one of you to make sure that you are in the great reckoning for 2000. The U.S. government, and state governments as well, need an accurate count of the people so we can make sure that all we are represented fairly in our various legislative bodies.”

I still think having Census Day on April 1 is hilarious. However, failure to be counted in the 2020 census is not funny at all. Not only does the 2020 Census impact congressional representation, but the data it provides also will impact communities for the next decade. The census data determines how federal funding is allocated for services such as Medicaid, Head Start, community block grants for mental health services, and the SNAP program – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“I just wish we could make our folks realize how important the census is for our financial dollars,” Linda Rouse Sutton, chair of the Lenoir County Commissioners told Bock.

My guess is that by now you have probably misplaced the mailer the U.S. Census Bureau sent you back in March. If so, do not despair. You can respond to the census by telephone or by the internet.

To respond by phone, begin by calling this number: 1-844-330-2020 for English; 1-844-498-2020 for Spanish; or 1-800-467-2020 for TDD (telephone display device). If you receive a call that is allegedly from the census bureau, you are probably being scammed. Do not give any personal information: your social security number; anything about your political party or views; your bank or credit card accounts. If the caller asks these questions, hang up. Also, if the caller requests money of any kind, hang up.

To complete the census online, go to this website: https://my2020census.gov/.

Then, follow the instructions and answer the questions. The Census Bureau estimates completing the census will take no more than 10 minutes of your time.

Please respond today.

I want you to count.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.