VOTE Initiatives

亞美政聯(CAUSE)聯合洛杉磯加大(UCLA)對加州國會選區重畫

記者王若然/洛杉磯報導

亞美政聯理事會主席胡澤群(Charlie Woo)。(本報檔案照)

亞美政聯(CAUSE)聯合洛杉磯加大(UCLA)對加州國會選區重畫進行研究。結果顯示,新國會選區地圖,若在今年11月公投獲通過,整體上會增加亞裔選民的影響力。亞裔選民為最多的區域(Asian plurality districts)將從之前的三個變成五個。

亞美政聯指出,很高興看到這一結果。總體來說,原本亞太裔選民數量占優勢的選區,大部分沒有被稀釋。在其他一些選區,亞太裔還增加了選民力量。亞美政聯是一個無黨派的中立機構。

在洛杉磯加大這份標題為「2025年11月特別選舉:重畫選區以及給亞裔美國人帶來的影響」報告中,提供客觀、詳細的分析。其中幾項重點內容包括:

1、整體社區投票力量:根據目前的國會選區地圖,加州共有10個國會選區中,已達投票年齡的亞裔選民占比超過20%。在新的國會地圖中,這10個選區得以維持原比率;甚至在普遍情況下,亞裔投票勢力有所增長。

2、亞裔選民為最多的區域增加:從之前的三個變成五個。新增CA-14以及CA-15,這兩個選區的國會議員分別是Eric Swalwell以及Kevin Mullin。其他三個亞裔選民占多數的選區為CA-17(國會議員Ro Khanna)、CA-28(國會議員趙美心)、CA-45(國會議員Derek Tran)。

在南加州,一些亞裔選民的重點國會選區包括:

CA-28:該選區目前的國會議員為趙美心,新的地圖下,該選區仍連結西聖蓋博谷城市,該地區亞裔選民比率仍維持在35%。

CA-38:該選區目前國會議員為Linda Sanchez,亞裔選民比率從20.95%增至26.4%,地區包括鑽石吧、羅蘭岡、哈岡地區不變。

CA-45:目前為國會議員Derek Tran,亞裔選民比率從36.9%升至40.8%,使該地區的亞裔選民更加集中。

CA-47:目前國會議員閔大衛(Dave Min),亞裔選民占比從19.3%上升至25.3%。

重新規畫選區後,亞裔選民比率下降的國會選區,包括51選區和40選區。目前這兩個選區的國會議員分別Sara Jacobs以及金映玉(Young Kim),前者占比從15.74%降到9.3%,後者則是從17.36%降到11.6%。新地圖對金映玉影響重大,該區將損失約2萬9000名亞裔選民。盡管51與40區,不是10大亞裔選民占比較大選區;但看到亞裔選民在這兩區影響力下降,亞美政聯仍感到遺憾。

新規畫的加州國會地圖,將在11月進行公投;在選票上,它名叫Proposition 50。亞美政聯理事會主席胡澤群(Charlie Woo)指出,在選區重畫議題上,很少有媒體關注其對亞太裔群體可能會產生的影響。因此,亞美政聯通過與洛杉磯加大合作,進行具體分析,為亞裔選民提供投票嚮導。胡澤群表示,總體來講,這次新畫的國會選舉地圖提升亞裔選民的力量,產生積極影響。

Source (www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/123278/8968986)

CAUSE Celebrates Appointment of Michael Yap and Andrea Mac to LA City Charter Reform Commission

The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) proudly celebrates the appointments of Michael Yap and Andrea Mac to the Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission. Their appointments follow advocacy from CAUSE and community partners to ensure that Asian American voices are represented in shaping the future of Los Angeles governance.

How to boost Asian American voter turnout in L.A.? A new study points the way

How to boost Asian American voter turnout in L.A.? A new study points the way

Improving the quality of translated voting materials, broadening government outreach to potential voters and increasing the number of in-person voting sites are key to boosting voter turnout among Asian Americans in Los Angeles, according to a newly published report from the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

Jeepney Rides to Vote Center in Los Angeles Eagle Rock

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Farrah Su

Senior Communications Manager

Phone: (213) 269-5716

Email: comms@causeusa.org

Los Angeles, CA - October 30, 2024  -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is partnering with Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) to engage the Eagle Rock Neighborhood as part of “Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest” on Saturday, November 2nd, from 11am to 3pm at The Oinkster (2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041),  

The event will include music, food, karaoke, voter resources and jeepney rides to the nearby vote center at Eagle Rock Library in PWC’s 1944 Jeepney salvaged from the Philippines. 

“Asian Americans make up 1.5 million residents in Los Angeles County and 24% of the residents of Eagle Rock. This celebration of civic engagement is meant to engage our communities with food, music, and jeepney rides!” shares CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap.

See more  details at: https://bit.ly/togetherwevote2024

This event is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest, a multi-day celebration hosted in Los Angele County’s historic Asian Pacific Islander (API) neighborhoods highlighting community building and civic engagement in the 10 days of early voting leading up to the November 5th General Election. 

About CAUSE
The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development. For more information visit: www.causeusa.org.

About Pilipino Workers Center
Founded in 1997, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) is a grassroots non-profit that organizes the low-wage and immigrant Pilipinx communities in the United States. They build collective power to demand better living and working conditions in order to secure the dignity, safety, and economic stability of the Pilipinx community. For more information visit: www.pwcsc.org

Mobile Vote Center Opened until 9PM at the Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party

Los Angeles, CA - October 21, 2024  -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is partnering with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office to bring an official Mobile Vote Center to the largest Halloween party in Little Tokyo, the 8th Annual Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party.

CAUSE Announces Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest

Los Angeles, CA - October 18, 2024  -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will host a series of events called Together We Vote: An API Get Out the Vote Fest throughout Los Angeles’ historic Asian and Pacific Islander (API) neighborhoods celebrating community and civic engagement in the 10 days of early voting leading up to the November 5 General Election.

LA county’s reform measure looks to extend power to Asian residents

LA county’s reform measure looks to extend power to Asian residents

Asian-American community leaders and elected officials are coming together in support of a Los Angeles County proposal to give Asian Angeleños a voice when it comes to the county’s government while also cracking down on corruption.

Proposal to expand LA County Board of Supervisors could create special AAPI district

Proposal to expand LA County Board of Supervisors could create special AAPI district

A proposal to expand the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has garnered support from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials, who say that doing so could lead to the creation of a special district for the community.

Open Letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Advocating for Inclusivity for LA County's Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Strategic Plan

An open letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in support of Agenda Item 10 to ensure inclusivity for Los Angeles County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Strategic Plan through an outreach plan that actively engages vulnerable communities and populations that include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

New In-Person Voting Options Added in Chinatown and Koreatown for the 2022 Primary

Los Angeles, CA - May 23, 2022 - Chinatown and Koreatown voters will now have several in-person voting options in their neighborhoods for the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election, thanks to the efforts of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE), Korean American Coalition (KAC), AAPI Equity Alliance, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA).

Join our Efforts: We Need Vote Centers in Koreatown and Chinatown

Join our Efforts: We Need Vote Centers in Koreatown and Chinatown

Through a thread on Twitter on May 9, it was discovered that there were ZERO Vote Centers in both Chinatown and Koreatown residential areas for the 2022 Primary Election. 

When asked, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder / County Clerk (RR/CC) reported having trouble working within their current criteria and policies to identify available spaces for this primary election. While we hope to work with them in the long-term to identify where county policies and practices are leading to inequitable service of our communities, we can't let those policies stop us from seeking immediate solutions for this primary. In previous election years, there were locations throughout Koreatown and Chinatown. These sites were overwhelmingly popular and experienced long wait times to vote. We believe this indicates a need for more voting sites, rather than the elimination of all of them. 

With Election Day weeks away, we are taking action to determine how we can expand voting access for Chinatown and Koreatown residents who would have difficulty going to a Vote Center outside of their neighborhoods. Access to these Vote Centers is critical as Vote Centers offer key services such as obtaining a replacement vote-by-mail ballot, language assistance services, etc. 

At this time of increased Anti-Asian Hate, where 3 out of 4 Asian Americans are worried about physical violence, in the recent poll by CAUSE, asking Asian American, Pacific Islander voters to walk one to two miles, or even several blocks to cast their ballot does not take into account their physical safety. Nor should they have to risk such physical violence in order to be meaningful participants in U.S. civic life. In addition, sites in Koreatown and Chinatown provide language services unavailable at community centers at the edge of their community boundaries. 

On Monday, May 16th, CAUSE, KAC, AAPI Equity, and AAAJ-LA met with RR/CC to understand why this happened, what has been done in the past week to fix the problem, and what else could be done before June 7th.  At this meeting, we learned the following:

Securing Vote Centers

  • Since last Monday and with the assistance of community leaders, one location has been identified in central Chinatown and three are being vetted in the northern half of Koreatown for a 4- or 11- Day Vote Center. The locations are yet to be confirmed, but look promising. 

  • CAUSE, KAC, AAPI Equity and AAAJ-LA advocated for multiple Vote Centers in both neighborhoods in addition to Flex Centers which run for a shorter time in smaller spaces. RR/CC is open to more sites if identified quickly.

Staffing Capacity

  • These Vote Centers will need staff and volunteers to work between Saturday, May 28 and Tuesday, June 7. RR/CC said it may still be possible to staff newly added Vote Centers IF they are confirmed by the end of the week (5/20/22).

Communications about new Vote Centers 

  • RR/CC planning for social media, postcard/mailers, and work with CBOs. Translations will be at a minimum in Korean, Chinese and Spanish.

Community Asks

  • Are you available to work as a volunteer between Saturday, May 28 to Tuesday, June 7? Can you help us spread the word about this need for volunteers?

We are in the process of scheduling future meetings with RR/CC and we will keep the community updated on future developments.

Thank you for your support, and please let me know if you have any questions or would like more information.

 

Sincerely,

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment

Korean American Coalition

AAPI Equity Alliance

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles

Read the update

CAUSE APPLAUDS APPOINTMENT OF KELSEY IINO TO LACCD BOARD OF TRUSTEES VACANCY

CAUSE the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees’ decision to appoint Dr. Kelsey Iino to fill a vacant Board position. Upon reviewing her qualifications, CAUSE has full confidence that Dr. Iino will be an informed and effective advocate for AAPI students on the LACCD Board of Trustees.

Statement to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees ON AAPI COMMUNITY NEEDS

As the governing board of the largest community college district, Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees, considers a pool of qualified candidates to fill a recent vacant seat, CAUSE shares appointee considerations to ensure AAPI community needs are voiced and met.