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Asian American and Pacific Islander Voters Poised to Make
a Significant Impact on Super Tuesday
States with Large Asian American Populations Going to the Polls
Release by APIAVote.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Super Tuesday’s primaries and caucuses on February 5 will feature
states with significant Asian American Pacific Islander populations. A number of states
heading to the polls have considerable numbers of Asian American and Pacific Islander
voters, including: California, New Jersey and New York.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islander voters will play a key role on Super Tuesday,” said
Vida Benavides, Chair of APIA Vote. “In these unpredictable races, Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders have the ability to impact the vote.”
Nationwide, approximately 7 million Asian American Pacific Islanders are eligible to vote,
and close to 3.5 million have registered to vote. Nearly 3 million Asian American and
Pacific Islander voters cast ballots in the last presidential election.
High concentrations of Asian American and Pacific Islander voters can make a big difference
in delegate-rich states:
California (available delegates: 441 Democratic, 173 Republican) – Home to 2nd
largest population of Asian Americans in the U.S. More than 75% of Asian American Pacific
Islanders are U.S. citizens.
Illinois (available delegates: 185 Democratic, 70 Republican) – The Asian American
voting population more than doubled between 2004 and 2006. In Chicago’s Cook County, Asian
Americans account for 6% of all voters.
Minnesota (available delegates: 88 Democratic, 41 Republican) – Asian Americans make
up 7% of the Minneapolis population and 13% of the St. Paul population. More than half of
the state’s Korean, Filipino and Vietnamese immigrants have become naturalized citizens.
New Jersey (available delegates: 127 Democratic, 52 Republican) – Asian Americans
comprise close to 8% of the state population. In Middlesex County, Asian Americans make up
18% of the voting population.
New York (available delegates: 281 Democratic, 101 Republican) – New York City is
home to more Asian American Pacific Islanders than any other city in the U.S. 84% of Asian
Americans voters in New York cast ballots in the 2004 election.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders currently make up more than 5% of the U.S.
population and are the nation’s fastest growing group. By 2050, Asians are expected to grow
213% to 33.4 million.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are part of the electoral equation,” said Benavides.
“The community’s voice will definitely be heard in electing the next President of the United
States.”
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Super Tuesday Fact Sheets (PDF)
Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is a national
nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of
Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at the
national, state and local levels. More information about APIAVote is available at
http://www.apiavote.org. |
