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-Editorial
As the election day approaches on November 5, more than 15 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voters will be eligible to cast their ballots, with many poised to vote for the first time. This demographic is emerging as the fastest-growing voter electorate, and their participation could prove crucial in battleground states.
At a recent Ethnic Media Services panel, speakers focused on mobilization efforts to encourage AANHPI voters, particularly in pivotal states where their votes could sway the outcome. Shekar Narasimhan, Founder and Chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, addressed the significance of AANHPI communities in influencing electoral outcomes during a discussion from Michigan, a key battleground state.
Narasimhan, joined by Congressman Rowana and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue with diverse groups. “We bring young people together—black and brown, from every ethnicity and faith—and facilitate conversations that can resonate widely, even reaching those who are typically underrepresented,” he said. He emphasized grassroots engagement and digital outreach as powerful tools for amplifying diverse voices.
Addressing the potential impact of AANHPI voters, Narasimhan reframed the narrative around their influence: “Instead of saying we are the margin of victory, I prefer to say we are the reason for victory.” He pointed to critical data, noting that approximately 1.75 million AANHPI voters reside in seven battleground states crucial for determining the Presidency.
States like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are key targets for AANHPI voter engagement. “The total victory margin will be significant,” Narasimhan stressed, acknowledging the substantial role AANHPI voters will play in the electoral process.
Christine Chen, co-founder and Executive Director of APIAVote shared insights from the Asian American Voter Survey, which reveals a growing trend of political engagement among AAPI voters. “Since 2020, AAPI voter registration has surged at a rate 1.28 times larger than the AAPI citizen voting-age population,” Chen stated, highlighting a turnout rate of 60% in the last election cycle.
The survey also showed that first-time voters among Asian Americans accounted for 26% in Georgia and 25% in Nevada, demonstrating the increasing participation of newcomers to the electoral process. In Georgia alone, where the 2021 election was decided by fewer than 12,000 votes, over 142,000 AAPI voters participated, including around 39,000 first-time voters.
Chen expressed enthusiasm for upcoming data releases from Target Smart that will provide deeper insights into AAPI voter registration rates. “Ninety percent of our community plans to vote, with 73% opting for early or mail-in voting in 2022,” she noted. Shifting party affiliations within the AAPI demographic are also noteworthy, with 42% identifying as Democrats, 31% as independents, and 22% as Republicans.
Despite these shifts, Chen emphasized the need for improved outreach, as 42% of respondents reported not being contacted by political parties. “This highlights the importance of organizations like APIAVote in engaging our community and motivating them to vote,” she added.
Amid pressing issues like jobs, healthcare, and inflation, APIAVote plans to invest $7 million this year, including $3 million in grants to local partners, to reach nearly 2 million households through multilingual outreach efforts.
Historian James Zarsadiaz underscored the significance of understanding contemporary Asian American history to comprehend shifts in voting behavior. He noted that political preferences among Asian Americans have evolved significantly over the years, particularly since the 1990s.
Zarsadiaz highlighted a notable turning point during the 2000 election, when Al Gore won the majority of Asian American support, contrasting with the community’s earlier leanings toward Republican candidates. Factors such as immigration rhetoric and anti-Asian sentiment in the 1990s contributed to this shift.
As the Republican Party’s outreach diminished, the Democratic Party increased its efforts, resulting in greater representation of Asian Americans in government. However, Zarsadiaz pointed out that the current political landscape reflects a complex reality, with many registered Democrats now gravitating toward more moderate candidates.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further spurred political reevaluation among Asian Americans, particularly in light of rising anti-Asian violence. This has led to a growing number of Asian American voters questioning their loyalty to the Democratic Party, creating opportunities for moderate and conservative voices to gain traction.
