Secretary of State Sam Reed is urging all Washington households to do the “Take 10” challenge this month.  That involves taking about 10 minutes to answer 10 questions as part of the once-every-10-years U.S. Census.

The nose-count is mandated in both the federal and state constitutions. It’ll provide an updated look at the population growth and shifts we’ve seen over the past decade.  It could well result in Washington getting a new 10th congressional seat and will help with redistricting and with getting our fair share of population-based federal grants for infrastructure and services.

Washington households are getting a heads-up letter this week, and then the Census questionnaire itself will be delivered next week, from March 15-17. Reed, who is partnering with the Census Bureau to urge a strong participation rate, says we have until April 15 to return the completed forms.  The questions deal with members of the household, including date of birth and race. Replies are kept confidential.  Information and text are available in numerous languages, and special help is available for those with language difficulties, sight impairment or the deaf and hard of hearing.

The Census, part of the agency now run by former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, says 72 percent of the households in the state and nation mailed back their forms 10 years ago, and that it saves the government about $60-$70 for every form that is returned, rather than requiring an in-person visit from a Census employee.

Reed says the process is easy, safe and confidential and adds:

“Our Census is important and it is mandatory. It is more than just a nose-count – it’s our way to get up-to-the-minute numbers for drawing equal-sized legislative and congressional boundaries, and for getting our rightful share of $400 billion worth of federal funding each year.  We eagerly await the verdict on whether we indeed get a new congressional district and have additional clout in Washington, D.C.”