news-record.com

You’ve got mail.

Beginning today and continuing through Wednesday, Triad residents should be on the lookout for an important letter — the 2010 Census questionnaires.

The Census Bureau wants you to fill out the form and mail it back ASAP.

“An accurate count of our population is critical for the future of North Carolina,” Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement. “As a fast-growing state, we must count everyone to get our fair share of the billions of federal dollars distributed each year based on the census.”

The national count, held every 10 years, determines each state’s seats in the U.S. House and is used to redraw state and local voting districts.

And returning the forms quickly will save the government money. Census Bureau officials say that for every 1 percent increase in mail returns, taxpayers save about $85 million in the cost of sending out census takers.

Reference day for the count will be April 1. But don’t wait until then to fill out the form, the bureau says. On May 1, census takers will begin going to homes that did not return the form.

People should be counted based on where they live and sleep most of the time. All members of a household should be included.

The 10-question form is the shortest since the government started taking a census in 1790.

If you have questions about the form, call toll free 1-866-872-6868. Spanish speakers can call 1-866-928-2010.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com