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The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), in conjunction with Alabama Counts, announced Monday that the deadline to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census has been extended until Oct. 31.

According to an Alabama Counts press release, field workers with the U.S. Census Bureau will be out in force between now and the end-of-the-month deadline, including door-to-door census takers, in an effort to reach all households that have not yet responded to the 10-year count.

“The Census Bureau informed Alabama that it has made the decision to ultimately extend the census to October 31,” said ADECA Director and Alabama Counts Chairman Kenneth Boswell. “This gives the stat of Alabama an extended time to complete their census and make Alabama count.”

Alabama’s participation rate has been lagging the rest of the nation and some areas of the state, including Dallas County, are falling even further behind, but state leaders are oping to see the overall participation rate in the state increase due to the now-twice extended deadline.

“This extra time will make a difference as Alabama households have more time to be counted,” Boswell said. “It takes a matter of minutes to determine the future of our state. Let’s use this time to cement our tally and influence all that depends on this final count.”

At stake is a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as millions in federal funding for schools, Head Start, infrastructure, freed and reduced-price lunch and more.

In Alabama, it is estimated that each completed census represents about $1,600 in federal funding.

The census can be completed online at www.my2020census.com or over the phone at 844-330-2020.

Additionally, the census can be completed by returning the mailed paper form sent earlier this year or by providing household information to a socially-distanced, door-to-door census taker.

All information provided in the 2020 U.S. Census is strictly protected by federal law.

ADECA and Alabama Counts, the press release stated, will continue to stay in contact with the U.S. Census Bureau and provide any further updates as they are received.

For more information, visit alabama2020census.com.