As the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States, Asian Americans are increasing in both numbers and as an electorate. Here’s why they’re more important than ever in this year’s election.
1. More AAPIs – especially youth – are participating.
(Kore file)
Though Asian American youth voter turnout has historically been low, hitting 19.9 percent in 2014, this election has seen the AAPI segment become the swing vote in states like California, Nevada and Virginia.
2. AAPI communities are getting the word out.
(Pew Research Center)
A 2015 Pew Research Center survey reported that 91 percent of Asian Americans are smartphone users. Through social media outlets and with efforts by organizations like APIA Vote, Asian Americans are convincing their own communities to register to vote, too.
3. Voter enthusiasm is high among AAPI voters.
(APIA Vote/AAJC/AAPI Data)
According to APIA Vote’s Inclusion Not Exclusion survey, about 51 percent of Asian Americans said they are “more enthusiastic” about voting in this upcoming election than prior ones. That’s in comparison to 2014, when only 28 percent responded the same.
4. AAPIs are becoming more vocal about their political views.
(Kore file)
More AAPI voters are voicing their opinions about current pressing issues. Many have shifted toward the Democratic party, which matches their more progressive views – in fact, in 2016, 62 percent of Asian American voters said they would back Hillary Clinton as opposed to Donald Trump.
5. …and are more informed about issues going on around them.
(#IAmAsianAmerican)
From Christiana Xu crowdsourcing for her #Asians4BlackLives letters to the #IAmAsianAmerican voting campaign, young Asian Americans are becoming more involved and informed about the world around them.
HelloVote is a free voter registration service. All it takes to register is your smartphone, either SMS or Facebook Messenger, and 60 seconds. Find more information at hello.vote!
