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With 2020 comes the ten-year Constitutional requirement of conducting a census to count the population of our cities, counties, states and nation. For Marengo County and Alabama, the stakes of this year’s census cannot be understated.

Current projections are that Alabama will lose congressional representation as well as its allocation in the nation’s Electoral College. Another important reason to be counted is that many federal funds, including grants, are based on the populations of specific areas.

“Census Day” is Wednesday, April 1. When completing the census, it should include everyone living in your home on that day. Letters will be sent to about 95 percent of all households, but to ensure you are counted, you can call 800-923-8282 or visit 2020Census.gov for more information.

(This editorial originally appeared in the Wednesday, February 12 issue of the Demopolis Times.)