Asian Week, News Report, Posted: Nov 07, 2012

Washington, DC—Asian Americans voted for President Barack Obama in enormous numbers this election, according to the Asian American Election Eve Poll, a joint project of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) and Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). While only 41% identify as Democrats, Asian American voters broke for Barack Obama by a huge margin, with 72% voting for the President and 26% for Mitt Romney. In Congressional races, 73% of Asian American voters backed Democratic candidates, while 27% backed Republicans.

National CAPACD found that an incredible 51% of Asian American voters were not asked by any campaign, political party or community organization to vote or to register to vote.

“Mitt Romney had room to win the overlooked Asian American community,” said Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of National CAPACD. “While Barack Obama’s narrative attracted Asian American voters, Mitt Romney missed an enormous opportunity to offer a direct appeal to this group.”

“Community organizations’ efforts are especially critical in getting Asian Americans to the polls when traditional party vehicles ignore this demographic,” said Hasegawa. “National CAPACD supported 25 groups in 14 states over the election season to help educate Asian American and Pacific Islander voters and get them to the polls on Election Day.”

The Asian American Election Eve Poll surveyed 800 Asian Americans over the pre-election weekend.

“Asian Americans lost 54% of their wealth between 2005 and 2009, mostly due to the foreclosure crisis,” said Hasegawa. “Therefore, it is no surprise that Asian American voters name the economy as their number one issue of concern or that they believe that government has a responsibility to help low-income households.”

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