The Role of Asian Americans in the 2024 Election
Good evening! Tonight, we’re exploring the potential impact of Asian Americans in the upcoming 2024 election. Amy Qin, a national correspondent specializing in Asian American communities across the nation, will guide us through this discussion. — Jess Bidgood
By Amy Qin
One common narrative surrounding Asian American voters is their strong alignment with the Democratic Party. This trend has been evident since 2008, the year when nationally representative surveys on Asian Americans first gained traction. In the 2020 election, Asian American voters demonstrated their political leanings by overwhelmingly supporting Joe Biden over then-President Donald Trump, casting their ballots in favor of Biden by an approximate two-to-one margin.
However, a deeper examination of the data reveals a more nuanced reality. While it is true that Asian American voters predominantly favor Democratic candidates, their party affiliation tends to be less robust compared to other demographic groups. As both political parties intensify their efforts to engage persuadable voters in an election that is anticipated to be closely contested, Asian Americans are likely to become a focal point for outreach initiatives from both sides.
Asian Americans: A Unique Voting Demographic
Asian American voters represent a remarkably diverse demographic, encompassing individuals with roots in over 20 different countries and speaking a multitude of languages. This group is recognized as the fastest-growing segment of the eligible electorate in the United States, with voter turnout rates reaching new heights. Importantly, neither major political party can assume their support is guaranteed.
Data from the American National Election Studies and AAPI Data indicates that Asian American voters are twice as likely to identify as strictly independent when compared to the general electorate. This independence suggests that their votes may be up for grabs in the upcoming election, making them a critical demographic for both parties to engage.
- Major points regarding Asian American voters:
- Predominantly vote Democratic, but with less firm party allegiance.
- Fastest-growing eligible voting group in the U.S.
- Significant turnout in recent elections.
- High rate of independent voter identification.
