AAPI Voters Focus on Immigration, Schools, and the Cost of Living
Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are drawing attention to issues they want voters to consider in the midterm election. Community groups are sharing election information and encouraging people to take part in decisions that affect their neighborhoods, their state, and the country.
A Growing Voice in California
Census data shows that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing population group in California. Their representation in Congress has also grown, with 24 Asian American and Pacific Islander members serving there.
In Los Angeles County, about 1.5 million people are part of the AAPI community. They make up roughly 11% of registered voters in the area. Community leaders say those numbers make it important for eligible voters to have a voice and for their votes to be counted.
Immigration is one major concern. A leader of a Southern California social justice group said immigrant communities are facing serious threats and stressed the need for AAPI voters to be heard. For many people, the election is a chance to speak up about policies that affect their families and communities.
Education and Economic Needs Matter, Too
Community concerns also include education, economic opportunity, and access to resources. A leader from an Orange County community group described AAPI voters as an important group whose choices can shift. Many have focused on education for children and ways to support economic well-being.
That leader said the community is changing and that more work is needed to help people learn about civic life and take part in it. Understanding the issues on the ballot can help voters decide which choices best match their needs.
Local and state decisions can affect everyday costs and services. The election guide materials being shared by community groups cover choices about local neighborhoods, state leaders, and policies that can shape the cost of housing, health care, and utilities.
Voter Guides in Many Languages
Community organizations are working to make election information easier to find and understand. Their efforts include sharing voter guides and canvassing to encourage people to vote.
One nonprofit focused on civic participation in the AAPI community provides an online election guide. A staff member said the goal is to give voters tools to decide what they want for their neighborhoods and state, choose state leaders, and consider policies that affect essential costs.
Language access is a key part of that work. About 75% of Asian Americans speak a language other than English at home. To help people get information in a language they understand, the nonprofit publishes voter guides in many languages spoken in the AAPI community. People can get a guide directly or find it online.
- The guides explain election information in multiple languages.
- They help voters consider local choices and state leadership.
- They cover policies connected to housing, health care, and utility costs.
Making Sure Communities Are Represented
Community leaders say AAPI residents are part of the places where they live and work. They help build local economies and contribute to their communities. They want eligible residents to be able to take part in elections and have their concerns represented.
For these leaders, civic participation is about more than choosing candidates. It is also a way to influence decisions made locally, across the state, and nationally. Those decisions should reflect the needs of diverse communities, including people whose first language may not be English.
By sharing translated guides, canvassing, and discussing issues such as immigration, education, and the cost of living, AAPI organizations are working to help community members make informed choices. Their broader goal is for people to understand what is on the ballot, participate in the election, and make their voices count.