Asian vote crucial in November US pres'l polls
LAS VEGAS — Filipino-American community organizers meeting here this week believe that the “strategic importance and political strength" of the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the U.S. will be the deciding factor in November’s presidential elections.
They are confident that the collective vote of Nevada’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) is expected “to make a significant difference" as the battle for party nominations shifts focus to the Democratic and Republican caucuses set here on Saturday, January 19.
Asian Americans are the fastest growing population in Clark County, the state’s largest district. In the county’s biggest urban hub, Las Vegas, Asian Americans have grown as much as 272 percent, and Pacific Islanders have grown as much as 632 percent between 1990 and 2000. Filipinos comprise 46 percent, or the largest ethnic subgroup, of that chunk.
“In terms of numbers alone, Filipinos who make up almost 50 percent of the minority population is already a significant political voting block," Vida Benavides, chair of APIAVote, a non-partisan citizens group, told Philippine News. “These numbers dictate."
APIAVote is a national 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.“AAPIs are a key electorate in this critical race," said Gloria Caoile, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (Apala) and APIAVote board member.
“In these unpredictable races – like the Iowa, New Hampshire, and the upcoming Nevada caucuses, AAPIs will swing the vote."
The AAPI population in Clark County has grown significantly in recent years, drawn by economic opportunities. First generation AAPIs have made considerable economic contributions, and more than half have gone on to become citizens.
The 14.4 million Asian Americans and close to 1 million Pacific Islanders make up more than 5 percent of the population. Between 2004 and 2005, the Asian American population grew by 3 percent, faster than any other race.
The largest ethnic subgroups are Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese. “AAPIs from across the U.S., particularly AAPIs in the West, will be watching," said Noe Kalipi, APIAVote board member.
“Nevada, being the first caucus in the West and ranking third for highest Pacific Islander population and sixth for highest Asian American population, will have a significant impact in how AAPIs vote."
“More than 50 percent of first generation AAPIs in Clark County are citizens, and a substantial number of these citizens need in-language assistance to participate politically," adds Doua Thor, another APIAVote board member.
“Candidates that wish to court their votes must first recognize these issues." But first, these communities will have to organize themselves.
“If the electorate of a district has a say, they can also influence public policy, but we are not there yet," Benavides said. “Otherwise, by now, we should already have a lot of political organizations, elected officials or Filipinos in public service, for example."Benavides and Caoile suggest that the Filipinos’ inherent organizational skills will play an important role in Nevada—particularly in a “growing community" like Las Vegas.
“Filipinos are good at organizing—we show that in our (disaster) relief efforts, family celebrations, and barangay activities, and we also gather on a regular basis in churches and cultural groups," adds Benavides.
“We have to transfer that traditional means of organizing and activism here. We have to speak for ourselves, and make our efforts more public by participating in the community—including in the electoral process."
“Filipinos usually attend a community meeting if it’s a casual neighborhood gathering, or if it’s nothing too formal, or they with neighbors or with a companion—then, they are more likely to attend and participate," observes FilAm Naomi Tacuyan, UCLA student and APIAVote volunteer.
“We will take it from there." APIAVote, along with Apala, has devised a wide-ranging voters/citizens program, such as leadership training, civic engagement, volunteer organization, development of educational plans, including language education “for better understanding of the electoral process." - Philippine News
They are confident that the collective vote of Nevada’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) is expected “to make a significant difference" as the battle for party nominations shifts focus to the Democratic and Republican caucuses set here on Saturday, January 19.
Asian Americans are the fastest growing population in Clark County, the state’s largest district. In the county’s biggest urban hub, Las Vegas, Asian Americans have grown as much as 272 percent, and Pacific Islanders have grown as much as 632 percent between 1990 and 2000. Filipinos comprise 46 percent, or the largest ethnic subgroup, of that chunk.
“In terms of numbers alone, Filipinos who make up almost 50 percent of the minority population is already a significant political voting block," Vida Benavides, chair of APIAVote, a non-partisan citizens group, told Philippine News. “These numbers dictate."
APIAVote is a national 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.“AAPIs are a key electorate in this critical race," said Gloria Caoile, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (Apala) and APIAVote board member.
“In these unpredictable races – like the Iowa, New Hampshire, and the upcoming Nevada caucuses, AAPIs will swing the vote."
The AAPI population in Clark County has grown significantly in recent years, drawn by economic opportunities. First generation AAPIs have made considerable economic contributions, and more than half have gone on to become citizens.
The 14.4 million Asian Americans and close to 1 million Pacific Islanders make up more than 5 percent of the population. Between 2004 and 2005, the Asian American population grew by 3 percent, faster than any other race.
The largest ethnic subgroups are Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese. “AAPIs from across the U.S., particularly AAPIs in the West, will be watching," said Noe Kalipi, APIAVote board member.
“Nevada, being the first caucus in the West and ranking third for highest Pacific Islander population and sixth for highest Asian American population, will have a significant impact in how AAPIs vote."
“More than 50 percent of first generation AAPIs in Clark County are citizens, and a substantial number of these citizens need in-language assistance to participate politically," adds Doua Thor, another APIAVote board member.
“Candidates that wish to court their votes must first recognize these issues." But first, these communities will have to organize themselves.
“If the electorate of a district has a say, they can also influence public policy, but we are not there yet," Benavides said. “Otherwise, by now, we should already have a lot of political organizations, elected officials or Filipinos in public service, for example."Benavides and Caoile suggest that the Filipinos’ inherent organizational skills will play an important role in Nevada—particularly in a “growing community" like Las Vegas.
“Filipinos are good at organizing—we show that in our (disaster) relief efforts, family celebrations, and barangay activities, and we also gather on a regular basis in churches and cultural groups," adds Benavides.
“We have to transfer that traditional means of organizing and activism here. We have to speak for ourselves, and make our efforts more public by participating in the community—including in the electoral process."
“Filipinos usually attend a community meeting if it’s a casual neighborhood gathering, or if it’s nothing too formal, or they with neighbors or with a companion—then, they are more likely to attend and participate," observes FilAm Naomi Tacuyan, UCLA student and APIAVote volunteer.
“We will take it from there." APIAVote, along with Apala, has devised a wide-ranging voters/citizens program, such as leadership training, civic engagement, volunteer organization, development of educational plans, including language education “for better understanding of the electoral process." - Philippine News
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