Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to be counted as part of the 2020 census. There are three ways to participate: online, by phone, or by mail. Edwards says the state’s response rate is lagging.
“55.7% of Louisianans have submitted a self response, but that’s compared to 61.4% for the nation, but we are dead last in the Gulf south, the deep south,” said Edwards.
The census only happens once every ten years, so Edwards stresses the importance of getting it right. Edwards says the census means more than just a headcount of the population as the data is used to determine the allocation of federal dollars for various programs.
“Distribution of about $1.5 trillion in spending across 316 federal programs from Medicaid to student loans to highway construction to low-income tax credit, you name it,” said Edwards.
Edwards says the data also feeds into the redistricting that takes place once every ten years.
“We draw new boundaries, from everything from school board members to legislators to members of Congress and the Supreme Court. So I’m asking everybody to fill out those forms and get that information back in,” said Edwards.
Due to COVID-19, the deadline to fill out the census has been extended until October 31st and can be done at My2020Census.gov.