Rome City Commissioner Duane Reid said he falls into that category of citizens who didn’t receive their 2010 census forms in the mail last month.

“Several people have told me they got two, and I can’t even get one,” he said Saturday during a rally supporting the census at the South Rome Boys & Girls Club. “But I promised them (the organizers) this: I’m completing it, and I’m putting it in the mail today.”

Reid was among those who were passionate about the importance of filling out the census during the “March to the Mailbox” street rally. Reid made sure to take a number of forms with him to make sure his neighbors get the forms too.

Mardi Jackson, chairwoman of the event, said the event was the last effort to get out the word about the importance of filling out census forms and mailing them back.

It is important enough to Reid and Floyd County Commission Chairman Eddie Lumsden to come out to advocate census participation along with other leaders from around the community at the event.

Lumsden said the two most important things census data provides both the government and citizens of the United States: representation and money.

Lumsden said that on the representation side of things, Census data is used to determine on a state and national level how congressional seats are appropriated to certain areas based on population. So if the data is incorrect, he explained, it could mean the difference between more and less representation in areas, especially in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“It’s also important because it determines through formulas how federal dollars are appropriated to communities as well,” he said. “So it’s just as important to get an accurate count for that as well.”

Jackson said this year’s census has drawn attention and skeptical questions — especially on privacy — because she feels the demographics have changed in the community.

“People are a lot more educated now and are moving around more,” she said. “So there is some cynicism and questioning of how the census works. But its important to question that.”

Staffers were on hand at the event to help fill out forms for those who hadn’t had a chance or had not received a census form in the mail.