Atlanta, GA: Recent data released by the US Census Bureau reveals that during the last two years Asian and Pacific Islander Americans were the fastest growing electorate groups in the 28 counties that make up metropolitan Atlanta. Asian Americans are also the fastest growing group in the United States during this same period of time, according to a press release issued by the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center.
Between 2010 and 2012, the Asian and Pacific Islander populations grew by 8.7% and 10.9% respectively in Atlanta, making up 288,049 of the metro-Atlanta population. In contrast, during the same period Hispanics grew by 6%, African Americans by 4.2%, and Whites by only 2%. In addition to shifts in racial diversity, Georgia’s overall population is becoming less rural.
“National pollsters have identified Georgia as a key swing state based on these demographic shifts and in large part due to the Asian American population,” said Helen Ho, Executive Director of AALAC. “To make an impact on elections however, it is critical that civic engagement groups that specialize in these target populations do the field work necessary to engage and turn out more new Americans to vote,” said Ho.
A recent National Asian American Survey found that higher proportions of Asian Americans are independent or non-partisan as compared to the national average and to the Latino population. “Many Asian Americans in our state vote on the issues and what is best for their families and communities,” said Sonjui Kumar, Board Chair of AALAC. “We are excited to continue our Vote for our Future campaign to increase Asian American voter turnout for this year’s municipal elections, and beyond to the 2014 midterm elections and to the next Presidential election,” said Kumar.
