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By PAUL DeMARCO | Guest Columnist

Note: This is an opinion column.

While we all are learning to live through the pandemic, there are have been a lot of events postponed. In private life weddings, birthday parties and special events have all been put off.

Around the Nation and in Alabama, the deadline to file income taxes and party primary elections have been delayed until the summer.

One important event that the virus has not stopped is the United States Census. The census is mandated by the United States Constitution every ten years.

By now, Alabama citizens have received their notice by mail to complete their responses either online or by telephone.

This year more than ever, the census is important to the state of Alabama due to the consequences if we do not get an accurate count.

State leaders are concerned that Alabama could lose a Congressional Representative during the reapportionment of the United States of Representatives. Other states have been growing in population at a higher

In addition, the state could lose millions of dollars in federal funds and grants as well.

With most of us spending more time at home, hopefully the silver lining will be an accurate census for the state.

If the state’s citizens all participate in the census, Alabama may keep its seven Congressional seats and the distribution of federal dollars to our communities.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives.