Asian Texans for Justice Report Finds 64% Asian and Pacific Islander Texans Highly Motivated to Vote in Midterm Election
FOR EMBARGO:
Sept. 26, 2022
Contact: Ashley Cheng
ashley@asiantexansforjustice.org
Top issues: economic recovery, inflation and cost of living, education, and voting rights
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ) today released a statewide report that found that four out of five Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Texas feel Asian American interests are not well represented in government now. The organization commissioned the poll to demystify an often misunderstood and misrepresented major voting bloc in the state.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Texas have been sidelined on the margins of Texas policy and politics. But the data are clear: AAPI voters are not a silent minority on the margins of Texas politics. They have the potential to be the deciding margin for the future of Texas.”
- Lily Trieu, interim-executive director of Asian Texans for Justice
The fastest growing ethnic group in Texas and nationwide, AAPIs now make up 6.3% of the Texas population. Not only does Texas have the third largest AAPI population, but it is outpacing AAPI growth nationally. According to the 2020 census, Texas’ Asian American population grew by 66.5% and the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population grew by 62% – compared to the national Asian American increase of just 38.6%.
Key Findings
The majority (64%) of AAPI in Texas are highly motivated to vote in the November 2022 midterm elections.
The most important policy issues to AAPI voters in Texas are economic recovery, inflation and cost of living, education, and voting rights.
The overwhelming majority of AAPI Texans are in favor of legalizing abortion (77%), gun safety legislation (83%), and making voting more convenient (85%).
AAPI Texans have more in common with other communities of color (Black and Hispanic) than white Texans when it comes to policy issues, such as Medicare expansion, abortion rights, gun reform, voting rights, and the banning of Critical Race Theory.
Compared to Texans overall, AAPIs are more likely to identify as Democrats (42% of AAPIs vs 31% of the general population). An equal 29% identify as both Republicans and Independents. AAPI Republicans lean to the left of all Republicans statewide on a variety of issues polled.
Only 20% of AAPI Texans believe AAPIs' interests are well represented in government now. Almost two-thirds (64%) of AAPI Texans say it's important to have elected officials who look like you and share the same background.
“Asian Texans are often mistakenly viewed as being apathetic about politics. But, as we see from the findings of our report, politicians have just been apathetic about us for far too long.”
- Ashley Cheng, Founding President of Asian Texans for Justice
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Asian Texans For Justice (ATJ) is a 501(c)(3) organization that connects Asian and Pacific Islander Texans with civic action to build personal and political power. ATJ is working toward a future where all people feel bold in their belonging. For updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.