Although the census mailings have not gone out, preparations are already under way for the important count that determines everything from legislative apportionment to federal funding.

In a meeting held Tuesday night, census officials from Dallas and the Hammond office explained the entire process, including the importance of being counted. The “Redistricting 101” roadshow forum was held at the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell and the small crowd included everyone from Parish President Kevin Davis to interested citizens.

The forum offered an overview of the census process. Did you know it is mandated by the Constitution? Also, for every person “uncounted” in Louisiana, the state will lose about $1,300 in federal funding. There are seven questions on the census. It’s a short form and asks basic information such as name, age, race, sex, origin, rent or own home and the relationship to others in the household. There are no questions regarding income, occupation or even your social security number.

In fact, it’s quick and easy. Most people who mail in their response will never talk to a census representative either by phone or in person unless they are verifying information as part of a random quality check.

However, a representative will visit people who do not mail in the information. This person will have ample identification and will not need to enter your home. All questions can be asked and answered at your front door. Census representatives go through two screenings with the FBI and have a fingerprint check.

The census is a snapshot of the country at a given time, a picture of who we are. It is done by household and every house in the country has been GPS mapped. When you get your census form, it will have a bar code on the envelope with your GPS location. Literally ever block in the nation has been walked, said census officials. The GPS technology used this year will ensure greater accuracy and updated national maps of the country’s population.

In “group quarters” such as dormitories on college campuses and prisons, the form will be delivered to every resident instead of counting the facility as one household.

The question of apportionment for Congress is very important. According to the latest trends and estimates, the state has seen a population shift and has lost numbers. However, census legislative analyst Patricia Lowrey-Dufour stated emphatically that apportionments cannot be based on this information.

The only population numbers that determine legislative apportionment is the official census taken every 10 years.

Even if the state loses a Congressional seat in Washington D.C., St. Tammany and surrounding parishes have seen such an increase that the area could see a change in district boundaries. This is all speculation, however, until final figures are released in February 2011.