Throughout its fourteen year history, the communities on Reddit have led discussions, debate, and IRL action to solve the internet’s most pressing challenges. From SOPA and PIPA to net neutrality and the March for Science, Reddit continues to be the online hub for community-centered engagement about civic issues.

2020 marks an important moment in the United States. While elections tend to get the most attention, it is worth understanding the other Constitutional processes that impact our democracy. One of these is the US Census. Once every 10 years, the Census Bureau goes about counting every person living in the United States and its five territories. The result of that count affects the Electoral College, congressional representation, redistricting, demographic data, and the annual distribution of over $675 billion in federal funds. Despite its critical importance, most people know little about the census, its impact, or about how they actually go about counting Every. Single. Person. In. America.

Today we are announcing a special AMA series leading up to the 2020 Census. In the coming weeks, communities around Reddit will host AMAs with individual experts, civil rights groups, NGOs, and government agencies whose work touches on the census in some way. The goal is to demystify the process of the census and give redditors an opportunity to engage directly with people in the know about this important but, let’s face it, obscure process.

Participants confirmed at the time of writing (with more to be added) include:

Terri Ann Lowenthal

Photo: Terriannlowenthal.com

Terri Ann Lowenthal is a nationally recognized expert, consultant, and frequent speaker on the U.S. census and policy issues affecting federal statistics. She held the first AMA of the series on October 1st, 1pm ET, in r/politics.

I’m Terri Ann Lowenthal, an expert on 2020 Census policy issues and operations here to discuss everything you wanted to know about the 2020 census (but didn’t know who to ask), so AMA … because you, too, must be counted! from r/politics.

Arab American Institute

Photo: aaiusa.org

Established in 1985 and based in Washington, DC, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a non-profit, nonpartisan national leadership organization. AAI was created to nurture and encourage the direct participation of Arab Americans in political and civic life in the United States. The AAI held their AMA on October 9th, 2pm EST in r/politics:

Yes, you count, too! We’re Ryan J. Suto and Suher Adi with the YallaCountMeIn (national Arab American Get out the Count) campaign to discuss everything related to the 2020 Census, Ask Us Anything!

Photo: aaiusa.org

Photo: aaiusa.org

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials

Photo: naleo.org

Founded in 1981, NALEO Educational Fund achieves its mission through integrated strategies that include increasing the effectiveness of Latino policymakers, mobilizing the Latino community to engage in civic life and promoting policies that advance Latino political engagement. NALEO held their AMA on October 15th, 12pm EST in r/politics:

We are leaders at NALEO Educational Fund. We’re fighting to ensure a full count of all Latinos in the 2020 Census. Ask us anything about Census 2020!

Photo: naleo.org

Photo: naleo.org

Photo: naleo.org

American Statistical Association

Photo: amstat.org

The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest community of statisticians. Founded in Boston in 1839, the ASA has supported excellence in the development, application, and dissemination of statistical science. Due to their broad coalition of expertise, the ASA held two separate AMAs with an expert panel on November 15th, 2pm EST in r/IAmA:

I’m Robert Santos, President-Elect of the American Statistical Association, census expert, proud Texan, ＆ Chief Methodologist at the Urban Institute. I’m here with a few friends to tell you why the 2020 Census matters (a lot) ＆ to answer all your questions. Reddit, let’s geek out census style! AMA!

and the other on November 19th, 2pm EST in r/politics:

I’m Robert Santos, President-Elect of the American Statistical Association, census expert, proud San Antonian, and Chief Methodologist at the Urban Institute. I’m here with a few friends to talk threats facing the 2020 Census and to answer all your questions. AMA, Reddit!

Photo: urban.org

Robert Santos – ASA President-Elect & Vice President and Chief Methodologist at the Urban Institute. ASA AMA #1: “Why the Census Matters” November 15th, 2pm EST in r/IAmA and ASA AMA # 2: “Threats to the 2020 Census” November 19th, 2pm EST in r/politics.

Photo: prb.org

Linda Jacobsen – Vice President for US Programs, Population Reference Bureau. ASA AMA # 1: “Why the Census Matters” November 15th, 2pm EST in r/IAmA.

Photo: jhsph.edu

Tom Louis – Professor Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics. ASA AMA # 1: “Why the Census Matters” November 15th, 2pm EST in r/IAmA.

Photo: countallkids.org

William O’Hare – Demographer and Advisor, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Count all Kids 2020 Census Committee. ASA AMA #1: “Why the Census Matters” November 15th, 2pm EST in r/IAmA.

Photo: cdc.gov

Constance Citro – Senior Scholar, Committee on National Statistics, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. ASA AMA # 2: “Threats to the 2020 Census” November 19th, 2pm EST in r/politics.

Photo: georgetown.edu

Amy O’Hara – Research Professor, Georgetown University Massive Data Institute & Georgetown Federal Statistical Research Data Center. ASA AMA # 2: “Threats to the 2020 Census” November 19th, 2pm EST in r/politics.

Photo: gwipp.gwu.edu

Andrew Reamer – Research Professor, The George Washington University Institute of Public Policy. ASA AMA #2: “Threats to the 2020 Census” November 19th, 2pm EST in r/politics.

Photo: census.gov

John Thompson – Former Director of the Census Bureau from 2013-2017. ASA AMA # 2: “Threats to the 2020 Census” November 19th, 2pm EST in r/politics.

American Association for Public Opinion Research

Founded in 1947, the American Association for Public Opinion Research is the nation’s leading association of public opinion and survey research professionals. Members span a range of interests including election polling, market research, statistics, research methodology, health related data collection and education. AAPOR held their AMA on November 20th, 1pm EST in r/dataisbeautiful:

We are survey methodologists, and we’re here to answer all your nerdy data questions.

Participants in the AMA were:

Photo: rti.org

Photo: Jessica Holzberg

Common Cause Illinois

Common Cause Illinois is a branch of a 50-year-old nonpartisan nonprofit that organizes, lobbies and builds coalitions to create a stronger democracy, reduces the influence of money in politics, and creates a more representative government where every vote counts.

Common Cause Illinois held their AMA on September 6th, 12:30pm EST in r/IAmA:

IAmA census advocate who specializes in finding resources for communities and organizations that want to do outreach for the 2020 Census. AMA!

Participants in the AMA were:

Photo: commoncause.org

United States Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau has been headquartered in Suitland, Md. since 1942, and currently employs about 4,285 staff members. The Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Census Bureau’s mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.

The Census Bureau held their AMA on December 20th, 3pm EST in r/politics:

I’m Ron, the deputy director with the Census Bureau! We’re about a month away until we start the 2020 Census and I’m here to answer questions about how we count EVERYONE living in the US. Ask me anything!

Participants in the AMA were: