MOSES LAKE — The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the deadline to Oct. 31 for people residing in the United States to fill out and submit census forms. The extension was made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The count of all U.S. residents occurs every 10 years and has since the country’s founding.

The census counts all residents of the U.S. living in a household as of April 1, 2020. Census information is used to calculate how many representatives each state is allocated in the U.S. House of Representatives and to draw boundary lines for state and congressional legislative districts.

The uses for census data extend far beyond political representation. The federal government uses census data when allocating money for federal programs and in determining when and where federal programs are established.

For 2020, there is only one kind of form, the short form, which asks fewer questions than the long form Americans have seen in the past. The form this year asks who lives in the residence, who owns it or pays the rent, and the relationships of people living there. That includes people living in the residence temporarily, and it asks where those temporary residents normally live.

The census form asks the age, sex and race of all members of the household, and whether or not they are Hispanic. The form does ask for a telephone number, but the bureau does not ask for money, Social Security numbers, bank account or credit card numbers.

Census officials have mailed letters to Americans giving details about the process and asking them to respond, followed by four postcards as reminders. Both the initial letter and reminders have an identification number, but people can still fill out the census forms without it.

People are being encouraged to fill out the form online. A traditional paper form will be mailed to people who do not respond after the reminders are sent.

The online forms must be filled out all at once, since the online form can’t be saved. Respondents also have the option to phone in.

The last reminder was sent out earlier this week, and anyone who doesn’t respond in a timely manner will receive a paper form. Respondents still have the option of filling out the form online or by phone even if they receive the paper form.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].