Opinion: Do your part during 2020 Census count

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You are probably used to the League of Women Voters of South Carolina imploring you to vote in elections. This time, we are asking you to carry out another important civic duty. By now, you have probably received one, or even two, letters from the Census Bureau. You are asked to help governments at every level get an accurate count of the population. This count is used to decide how to distribute funds for education, health care and infrastructure as well as to apportion U.S. House seats among states and draw district lines at all levels of government.

You can respond to the Census online at https://2020census.gov/; by mail; or by phone at (844) 330-2020 (English) or (844) 468-2020 (Spanish) between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Unless you are one of the few selected for the longer form, there are just a few short questions, not including anything about citizenship. The form just asks for the number of people living in the household, names, ages, gender, relationship to the person responding, address, race and ethnicity, and whether the home is owned or rented.

If you don't participate, expect a Census worker to show up at your door to ensure a complete count!

Thank you for carrying out your responsibility by participating in the 2020 Census. Every response counts!

HOLLEY ULBRICH

Co-president, League of Women Voters of South Carolina