Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander voter registration has seen the largest increase of any racial group in the US from January to June, compared to the same period in the previous election cycle. This is attributed to a growing population of naturalized immigrants and young US-born Asian Americans coming of age, as well as increased efforts to encourage voter participation.
The Asian American community has historically faced barriers to political participation but saw significant gains in voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election. Anti-Asian hate crimes and the COVID-19 pandemic have also galvanized activism and political engagement within the community. Organizations dedicated to civic engagement have played a crucial role in increasing voter registration among Asian Americans.
The growth in voter registration is also driven by naturalized citizens, who make up a majority of eligible Asian American voters. Changes in voter registration rules in some states have made it easier for immigrants to navigate the registration process. Additionally, the polarizing nature of the Trump administration has spurred interest and engagement in politics among Asian Americans.
Karthick Ramakrishnan, co-founder of AAPI Data, noted that the increase in voter registration is likely to be even more significant with the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris. This suggests a continuing trend of higher voter registration and political engagement among Asian Americans, particularly younger and female voters. The Asian American electorate has the potential to impact election outcomes in key states, highlighting the importance of participation and representation in the political process.
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