2010 is an important year. We will participate in the 23rd U.S. Census to determine our nation’s population.

The census is mandated every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution; the results are used to allocate congressional seats, electoral votes and government program funding.

Census documents will be mailed March 15. Until then, local census workers will be spreading the word, on the street and through this newspaper, to encourage islanders to complete their census forms — all islanders, regardless of citizenship or legal residency.

Here’s what the census does for San Juan County:

— Helps direct the distribution of $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.

— Determines distribution of congressional seats. Washington state is expected to gain an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (Oregon could lose one) if population estimates are borne out by the census. In other words, if we have more residents, we gain more representation in Washington, D.C.

— Defines state legislative districts.

— Helps elected officials decide what community services to provide, such as where to provide services for seniors, where to build new roads and schools, where to locate job training centers.

Thomsen said only 34 percent of San Juan County census forms were returned in 2000. he speculates many weren’t returned because it wasn’t the recipient’s primary address, or fears regarding citizenship status.

Help provide an accurate picture of our community. Your answers and privacy are protected by the law.