The growing Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the US is becoming an increasingly important voting bloc. However, a significant portion of them have not been contacted by either political party in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Despite this lack of outreach, voter participation levels among Asian Americans are increasing, with up to 90% of those surveyed indicating they plan to vote this cycle.
Organizations such as the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) are working to ensure that Asian American voters are engaged and informed. They are partnering with other groups to reach out to communities that may have been overlooked by candidates and advocates. The Get Out the Vote for Asian Minnesotans campaign is focused on getting people registered and addressing any barriers they may face in accessing polling locations, such as language barriers.
The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and the impact of Covid-19 have made some members of the AAPI community hesitant to vote in person. As a result, efforts to educate voters about absentee ballots and early voting have been crucial.
Following the election, CAAL plans to conduct surveys and work with county election officials to ensure that policies are in place to make the voting process more inclusive and accessible for all communities. Through their outreach efforts, they aim to make sure that Asian Americans feel represented and empowered in the democratic process.
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