We, at CAUSE, want to celebrate and recognize Kamala Harris’ historic moment as the first female, South Asian American, and Black American Vice President-elect.
This year’s historic voter turnout of more than 160 million people speaks to CAUSE’s mission of political and civic empowerment of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. A recent statewide poll conducted in partnership with CAUSE, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), and Los Angeles Urban League, shows that 81% of APAs find their ethnicity important to their identity and how they think of themselves. Though they value their own ethnic identity, 57% of APAs also believe that they face racial barriers when it comes to involvement in politics.
As the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the US according to the Pew Research Center, APAs have an important role and opportunity in the upcoming years to be more civically engaged. The 2018 Asian American Voter Survey, conducted by AAPI Data and APIA Vote, found that an increase in APA civic participation is related to the increased number of APA elected officials and candidates running for office. CAUSE’s conducted statewide poll also shows that APAs most believed out of any other group, at 71%, that they will be more accepted in the United States in the future.
Having Kamala Harris on the Presidential ticket is momentous for our country and our APA community. It has inspired many APA voters to make their voices heard and get involved in this year’s election. CAUSE will continue working to increase APA civic participation and engage our powerful voting community by actively being part of the process to build today’s and tomorrow’s APA leaders.
We are so appreciative to all the voters, poll workers for their support in the voting process, and community organizers for their work, including increasing APA voter accessibility.
CAUSE has supported current and future APA leaders through the various programs that we offer. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was a keynote speaker at the 2013 CAUSE Women In Power Luncheon. Echoing similar sentiments in her Vice President-elect acceptance speech this past Saturday, she encouraged young minority women to pursue careers in politics and public service and reminded them that they are not alone.
