The state of Tennessee enjoys 11 electoral votes but that could change if the state’s population isn’t properly counted in the 2020 Census. A state’s electoral vote allotment is determined by the number of representatives and senators in Congress. And Tennessee’s Congressional delegation is based on the state’s population as determined every 10 years by the United States Census. That’s why it’s vitally important to get every Tennessean counted before the Census ends on October 15.

The current administration decided to end the Census early in order to try and get results back before the end of the year. This year’s Census, already upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, will end on October 15. Originally, the officials planned to end the count on October 31.

Under Federal law, your Census responses are considered confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including any government agency. There is still time to fill out your Census form online and be counted. You can still self-respond to the census online at 2020census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}