By April 1, 2020, every home in the country will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Work is underway across the country, Arkansas and in the Twin Lakes Area to meet the U.S. Constitution mandate to conduct a headcount every 10 years. The first census was conducted in 1790, and one has been completed every 10 years since then.
Baxter County Judge Mickey Pendergrass is among 30 volunteers across the state appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas Complete Count Committee to promote statewide participation in the Census 2020. Pendergrass is the lone county judge serving on the committee.
After attending his second committee meeting earlier this month, Pendergrass says the group is tasked with submitting a census progress report to the governor no later than Nov. 1.
He explains the census is the beginning of a high-stakes process.
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Pendergrass says the census count is also used for redistricting, beginning at the federal level for members of the U.S. House.
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Pendergrass says securing an accurate census count is also important for cities.
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Judge Pendergrass says when the census surveys are mailed next spring, residents will have three options for completing and returning the information.
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In the meantime, ground work is underway. Pendergrass says employees of the U.S. Census Bureau are working with 911 centers to verify addresses to ensure everyone receives a survey next spring.
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