FSN Packages Feed: Asian-American Voters Mobilise Ahead Of US Election

Script:

UPSOT of Hindi Trump advert ('Ab Ki Baar Trump Sarkaar')

Speaking their language… This ad, showing Donald Trump at a fundraiser in New Jersey, wants to persuade the Indian American community the Republican would be a 'friend' to them if he wins the White House. It's just one part of a broader effort by both campaigns to win Asian American votes in 2016. Here's Frank Januzzi, President of the Mansfield Foundation:

SOT - Frank Januzzi, President and CEO, Mansfield Foundation

Although they are still less than 5% of the voting American public, Asian Americans are now a serious voting bloc to be taken seriously in swing states, especially Virginia, where Korean Americans comprise a key voting bloc, in states like Minnesota, where Laotian Americans could tip the balance of this election. Any campaign that disregards them will regret it on election day.

But traditionally, Asian Americans have been a hard group to mobilise. In 2012, only 47% of those who were eligible cast a ballot. This New York concert and voter registration event is one way campaigners want to change that.

UPSOT of concert

Events like this are trying to make sure that Asian Americans, now the fastest growing racial group in the US, use their growing people power at the ballot box. The question is, which of the two main parties will get the most benefit from that increased engagement? People here seem fairly agreed on one candidate - and it's not good news for Donald Trump….

I'll be voting for Hillary Clinton. It's just the views she speaks about, that she feels passionate about, align very well with my own.

I'm voting for Hillary Clinton and I'm a backer of Bernie Sanders, because I feel that I really strongly believe in criticising capitalism and inequality that's inherent in our system.

She has things I disagree with but Hillary's by far the better choice.

Experts say that's typical for this election cycle, with stats showing Asian Americans shifting towards the Democratic party in record numbers. Christine Chen is the Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, which recently published a new survey on Asian American voting trends:

SOT - Super: Christine Chen, Executive Director, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote

Typically, Asian American voters do not affiliate with any particular party, a large majority of them, but in 2016 that's a little bit different - What we're seeing is that Democrats tend to have a two to one advantage when they do identify. But what we try to note for the parties and campaigns is that there's still 27-31% typically undecided.

And when the sun finally sets on the 2016 election, as they look ahead to 2020, campaigners in both parties will be eager to analyse just how successful they were at persuading this increasingly important group. Lorna Shaddick, New York.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Asian-American Voters Mobilise Ahead Of US Election