It's the law and, state and local officials are reminding us, full participation in the 2010 Census is crucial for Nevada, but some are still wary of taking part.

The census, the need for it and the legal basis for it, go all the way back to the beginnings of our republic. In fact, it's right there in the constitution, article one, section 2, clause 3 says we will all be counted every 10 years.

And so, the government has made the effort every decade since then. Sometimes it seems we've been arguing about method and outcome ever since.

Federal funds for the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, dozens of other services and the number of seats in Congress are apportioned according to population. Just in terms of federal fundingm it's estimated each census form returned means $10 thousand dollars for our state.

With our transient population counting Nevadans has always been challenging. With the number of people losing their homes this year may be even more so.

And the political climate may be fueling a greater degree of distrust.

KKOH talk show host Bill Manders says it's not topic number one on his show these days, but it is on some people's minds.

"I think the big thing people are worried about is the intrusion into their privacy and in this day and age when the government doesn't seem to be rolling down the right rail sometimes, I think people have a legitimate beef about that."
Manders says he filled out his own form as soon as he got it, but some of his listeners are telling him they won't do the same.
One stop on the 10 question form apparently is causing the most concern...and that's race.

"It's funny," he says. "We all want to get together, but when it comes to something like this we count heads separately."

Mike Moreno, who chairs Washoe Counts 2010, a local committee heading the campaign to get people to take part says he's heard that concern as well, but says it's an important part of the national snapshot.

"We're a nation of immigrants," he says. "It's socialogical, but it's a way of capturing the demographics of our population by age and by race, things of that sort."

Another response both he and Manders are hearing is that participation won't make a difference. Moreno begs to differ.

"If we do not partiicipate in the census, answer it accurately and completely it's a disservice to all of us here in the state of Nevada because we'll miss out on important federal funding for services and infrastructure we need for better school, better roads, better health care."

You may have noticed on your census form envelope that you're required by law to participate. That's true and there is actually a penalty for those who don't.

We checked. No one has ever been prosecuted for failing to take part., but for the reasons Mike Moreno mentioned, it's important that we do.

If you have questions or concerns about the census, there's information on line at the Secretary of State's and the Washoe Counts websites.

Beginning Friday and continuing for a month there will also be a number of assistance centers open in our area.