Asian Americans and the elections

Now more than ever Ethnic voting patterns have been a major theme in this election cycle. Historically, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibits federal or state governments from infringing on a citizen's right to vote “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” The United States Congress generally considers the Voting Rights Act, adopted initially in 1965 and extended in 1970, 1975, and 1982, the most successful piece of civil rights legislation ever adopted. The Act codifies and effectuates the 15th Amendment's permanent guarantee that, throughout the nation, no person shall be denied the right to vote on account of race or color. Read on for a great report from Ethnic Technologies and the Asian American vote!

Since this act was adopted, politicians have paid closer attention to emerging ethnic and racial groups. Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asians have been studied and courted in the attempt to generate votes for all parties. Asian-Americans, whose voting power has been much less scrutinized than African-Americans and Hispanics, are known as swing voters. Asian-Americans are split among the parties, as 40% are either registered or lean to Republican, 36% are either registered or lean to Democratic and 24% hold other affiliations. The “typical” Asian voter, more so than any other group, votes according to information gotten from inside the community and from ethnic media.

Asian-Americans, whose voting power has been much less scrutinized than African-Americans and Hispanics, are known as swing voters. Asian-Americans are split among the parties, as 40% are either registered or lean to Republican, 36% are either registered or lean to Democratic and 24% hold other affiliations. The “typical” Asian voter, more so than any other group, votes according to information gotten from inside the community and from ethnic media.

Asians are the only group that is slightly more conservative than whites. Most Japanese-Americans are Democrats, while Koreans and Vietnamese are more likely to be Republicans. Chinese-Americans are evenly split among the two major parties and independents. Contrary to popular belief, Asian-Americans are not reluctant to participate in politics. Second only to Jewish voters, Asian-Americans contribute more money per potential electorate during their fundraising campaigns.

Visibility and familiarity may help gain Asian-American votes, but direct outreach to Asian communities has proven to be the most effective way to sway voters. In an effort to unite the diverse groups found in this community, the 80-20 Initiative, a pan-Asian American organization, was created to channel at least 80% of registered Asians to vote as a bloc for a chosen candidate based on what he would do for Asian-Americans.