LAKEVILLE — The 2023 census forms were mailed to each household the first week of January and residents are urged to review, update, sign and return them as soon as possible if they have not already done so. Even if there were no changes, the forms need to be returned.

All occupants, including children, should be listed, although information obtained for residents under age 17 remains confidential.

Forms can be mailed to Town Clerk, 346 Bedford St., Lakeville, or put into the Town Clerk’s Drop Box outside the Town Office Building. An envelope was provided this year for residents’ convenience.

Any resident who did not receive a census form, or who might need another one, should call the Town Clerk’s office (508) 946-8814.

The town census is important for many reasons. First and foremost, it establishes legal residence for voting privileges and town benefits. It is also the vehicle used to print annual street lists for distribution to police, fire and medical personnel.  It is the census figures that are used to determine grants or to receive state and federal reimbursements and aid.  School enrollments are also based on town census.

The census forms do not register those filling them out as voters. Voters are required to return the form annually to retain their “active” status on the voter list. Registered voters who do not respond to the census will be moved to the inactive voter list. They are still eligible to vote in Lakeville, but only after completing an Affirmation of Current & Continuous Residence form and showing evidence (such as a driver’s license or other acceptable documentation) when they go to the polls.