LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Asian Americans are the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the country, and now, there may be a shift in strategy on how political parties are trying to win over this group of voters.
Monterey Park Mayor Pro Tem Vinh T. Ngo has witnessed the growth and increased civic engagement of AAPI communities.
Ngo is the son of Chinese immigrants to Vietnam. The family migrated to the U.S. in the late 1970s. “We had one Chinese market and a couple of banks. We had some restaurants. That’s it,” recalled Ngo.
According to the latest census data, Monterey Park is now roughly 65% Asian American.
“Now you have more Asian API elected officials,” Ngo said, adding that it is evidence that more people are getting involved “They know that their voice actually makes an impact, especially in public policy.”
According to a new Pew Research Center analysis, Asian American eligible voters grew about 15% in the last four years, by about two million people. Among Asian Americans, South Asians are the fastest-growing demographic.
It is projected that roughly 15 million Asian Americans will be eligible to vote in November. California is by far home to the most — 4.4 million, or a third of the entire Asian American electorate.
Asian Americans make up about 17% of the state’s electorate.
Political campaigns have taken notice, and researchers are urging them to choose data over stereotypes. “One of those is the model minority myth, the idea that Asian Americans have a special value for education, and a value that is more prominent than for other groups,” said Janelle Wong, senior researcher at AAPI Data.
“They certainly do care about education, but they don’t prioritize it more than other groups prioritize education,” Wong said.
A new AAPI Data/AP-NORC Poll asked AAPI communities about their priorities in 2024. Topping the list: inflation, immigration and the environment.
“They are healthcare voters, they are environmental voters and they are gun control voters,” said…
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