5 reasons why Biden, Trump can't ignore Asian-American voters in US Presidential elections 2024

The contest in the United States Presidential elections 2024 has boiled down to primarily two candidates: Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In the run-up to the polls, set to be conducted on November 5, both contestants are expected to fight tooth and nail to woo voters. This time around, Asian-Americans– an often ignored voter bloc in the US– is expected to become crucial in the race.

Here are five reasons why.

The numbers game

According to Pew Research Center, Asian-Americans have been the fastest-growing eligible voter group in the US for roughly two decades now. Several states across the US have seen their Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population more than double over the past 20 years, according to the non-partisan organisation, Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote).

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In the past four years, this electorate has gained approximately 2 million eligible voters. In the November polls, an estimated 15 million Asian-Americans will be eligible to mark their ballots. That is about 6.1 per cent of all eligible voters. In case of a close match, like the one witnessed in 2020, their voice will become critical.

Crucial in swing states

Since 2000, Nevada, has seen a 167 per cent increase in the AAPI population, while Arizona has witnessed a 157 per cent jump on that metric in that same period.

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Christine Chen, the Executive Director of APIAVote, named the states where Asian Americans could make the most difference in November. “Georgia and Nevada are going to be right there at the top. But we also see where our numbers can make a difference is also Arizona, Wisconsin, with the Hmong community, as well as Pennsylvania,” she told Reuters.

Notably, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona have repeatedly appeared in the list of swing states– states where both Democrats and Republicans have similar support levels among the voting population.

Vote loss for Democrats?

According to a Pew Research Center survey of Asian adults conducted from July 2022 to January 2023, 62 per cent of Asian American registered voters identify as Democrats or lean to the Democratic Party. Another 34 per cent are Republicans or GOP leaners.

However, reports suggest that in the past couple of elections, Asian Americans have moved towards Republicans, narrowing the wide gap between the two in this regard a bit. The winds of change in voting patterns in the community means that both sides will have to battle hard to pull fence-sitters to their side.

Strong views on economic, foreign policy

The AAPI communities place economic and foreign policy concerns at the top of the list of issues that want the government to address in 2024. According to a recent AAPI Data/AP-NORC Poll, roughly 30 per cent of them cite inflation and immigration as a priority. Since Biden and Trump have opposing stances on the immigration issue, and the incumbent President is facing heat regarding his handling of price rise, where this vote rallies will be critical.

Campaign funding

AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective PAC, and Latino Victory Fund, some of the largest political action committees (PAC) representing Asian-Americans and other people of color endorsed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for re-election on March 9. The entities also announced a $30 million commitment to mobilise communities of color to vote for Biden. Where such funding goes will impact how campaigns are shaped.

With inputs from agencies