Importance of 2020 Census Emphasized at Parish Council Meeting

The Washington Parish Council will be taking steps to maximize participation by Washington Parish

residents in the 2020 Census. The count of residents has an impact on political power and money received by the parish from the federal government. For instance, due to low participation in the past and related reapportionment, Louisiana's number of representatives in the House of Representatives has fallen from nine to five in the last several years.

Qiana Wiggins, Partnership Specialist for the U. S. Census Bureau, provided information on the Census process, reported that Washington Parish had less than 60% participation in 2000 and only a small improvement in 2010, that a major problem has been an under-count of children in the household, informed the Council that residents should apply for available positions that are paying $18 per hour, and encouraged the Council to form a Complete Count Committee and appoint a point-of-contact person for her to coordinate with.

Beginning in March 12, 2020, residents will be getting information in the mail on how to be counted. On April 3, 2020 census takers will begin knocking on doors.

Council members asked many questions and the Council has scheduled a Infrastructure Committee meeting at 5:00 pm on May 13, 2019 to follow up.

A synopsis of the 2020 Census process and the importance the census is presented below. In addition, watch video of the meeting at http://www.mthermonwebtv.com/p/government-meetings.html beginning at 2:00 into the video).