Despite the results of the recent presidential election, the 2016 national Asian American Election Eve poll reveals that Asian Americans voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, 75% to 19% – a significantly higher margin than was suggested by the exit polls. The survey also showed that 56% of Asian Americans now identify as Democrats, a marked jump from 49% in the same poll four years ago.
The full results of the 2016 Asian American Election Eve Poll are available here, or view an infographic summarizing the topline results here.
This non-partisan poll surveyed 2,391 respondents from diverse Asian ethnic groups: Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese American voters. Interviews were conducted in six languages, with all interviews completed in the language of preference of the respondents.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are a growing electorate that is often ignored. AAPIs are the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S. The poll highlights the need for more Asian American voter outreach and civic engagement.
In addition to revealing how Asian Americans voted in races for President, Senate, and Congress, the survey also revealed the issue priorities that influenced their voting decisions.
In California, the poll shows 79% of Asian Americans supporting Clinton, even higher than the national average of 75%, with high numbers of Asian Americans in the state reporting that Trump made them angry (72%) and afraid (64%).
Asian Americans still face significant barriers at the polls. 67% of Asian Americans are immigrants born outside of the U.S., many of whom are first-time voters with limited English proficiency. Many are asked for additional voter identification, are segregated from other voters, and have to use polling locations without any available language assistance.
“Despite the results of last night’s election, this poll shows that the Asian American electorate is quickly becoming a significant factor in national elections, and only underscores the need for progressives to invest in more research on AAPI voters,” said Jill Hanauer, president of Project New America. “Like Latinos, AAPI voters are not monolithic, and both parties will need to better understand the community if they want to tap into the unrealized potential of this growing electorate moving forward.”
