Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) joined volunteers with AANHPIs for Harris get-out-the-vote events in Las Vegas on Oct. 19 ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
By MIYA MURAI
SPECIAL TO THE RAFU
As the political landscape intensifies in the closely contested race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, swing states like Nevada have emerged as critical “battlegrounds” for voter mobilization. Nevada’s historical reputation as a swing state, combined with its large AAPI population (10%), has attracted political activists from all corners of the country.
Over the weekend of Oct. 19, AAPI activists from across the nation gathered in Las Vegas for the AAPIs for Harris Weekend of Action, where they collectively knocked on an impressive 100,000 doors across Nevada in two days. Prominent public AAPI figures, including Rep. Judy Chu, Sen. Mazie Hirono, and Rep. Mark Takano, rallied alongside volunteers to galvanize support for Harris.
The excitement continued at a rally held at Cheyenne High School, featuring former President Barack Obama. He passionately endorsed Vice President Harris, highlighting her humble beginnings and stressing the power of voting with these words: “They don’t hear your boos, they hear your votes.” His call to action invigorated attendees, reinforcing the importance of their participation in the electoral process.
Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Judy Chu joined volunteers with the voter mobilization campaign. The volunteers knocked on more than 100,000 doors in the key swing state.
The 2024 election marks a transformative moment for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, challenging outdated perceptions of political disengagement. AAPIs are now the fastest-growing population of eligible voters in the U.S., with a significant increase of approximately 2 million voters since the last election (Pew Research, 2024).
The potential for Harris to become the first AAPI president has sparked a wave of panethnic activism, illustrated by the formation of grassroots groups such as Japanese Americans for Harris, Filipinos for Harris, and Koreans for Harris. This collective movement highlights the crucial role AAPI voters hold, and the power of grassroots activism; ultimately prompting the question: “How will the increasing population of AAPI eligible voters impact democracy in the United States?”