If you have not already filled out the 2020 United States Census, you need to.
Why? Well, here’s two reasons: (1) the state of Mississippi receives $5,000 in federal dollars per year for each citizen accounted for, and (2) Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559 make it legally obligatory for American citizens to complete the census.
“For every person that is not counted, we lose…approximately $5,000 per person,” Mississippi Complete Count Committee Chairman Giles Ward said. “We have a responsibility under federal law to respond to the census. Take away all of the economic advantages that you have…if you want to be a law-abiding citizen, you need to respond.”
Thus far, 56.9 percent of identified households across America have self-responded. In 2010, the year the last census was taken, 61 percent of identified households self-responded.
It should not be hard to surpass that decade-old number as Mississippians now have until October 31st to self-respond thanks to complications from the coronavirus.
Beginning on August 11th, the United States Census Bureau will be sending enumerators out to knock on doors of households that have not yet participated in the 2020 census.
Like Ward said, if you want to be a law-abiding citizen or you simply want to help Mississippi receive the proper federal funding it deserves, go fill out the census here.
“It’s just impossible to overstate how important this is to the state of Mississippi.”
To watch the full interview with Ward, click the video below.
