CIVIC & cOMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Register to vote!
Our Voices Matter
The API electorate has the power to shape and influence elections throughout the country. We are the fastest growing community based on recent Census data, and projected to double to 12.2 million eligible voters in 2040.
Representation matters, and registering to vote is the first step in civic participation. There has been tremendous growth of API representation with now over 600 API elected officials throughout all levels of government, according to the National Asian Pacific American Political Almanac (15th ed). However, this still only accounts for less than 1 percent of all elected leaders in the country. Our voices matter and must reflect the priorities and needs of our communities. APAPA works closely with community partners, county registrars, and the Secretary of State to encourage more API eligible voters to register to vote. We provide information on how to register to vote and conduct voter registration drives.
APAPA chapter leaders and student interns across the country also reach out to their local communities every year to register new citizens to vote. CA Secretary of State Shirley Weber said, “APAPA is one of the largest voter education and registration organizations”.
How to make sure your mail/absentee ballot is counted? You can find each state’s tracking information at www.cnet.com/how-to/how-do-i-track-my-ballot-heres-how-for-every-state/ and www.ballotready.org.
Concerned about voter intimidation? The American Civil Liberties Union produced a Know Your Rights factsheet.
Want to see information and candidates on your ballot? Visit Vote411.org.
Need bilingual assistance to vote? You have the right to bring an interpreter to the polls. See the details of Section 203 here
Interested in working as a poll worker or at a poll site? Go to workelections.com.
Increasing Civic Engagement
APAPA HQ and Chapters host events throughout the year to connect our communities with public officials and candidates running for office throughout the country at the city, county, state, and national level.
We organize these events so that candidates and public officials will recognize and respect the AAPI community as powerful voters and concerned citizens whose needs must be taken into account.
We also want to increase access for voters to candidates and public officials so that they feel empowered and better understand candidates’ positions.
APAPA is a nonpartisan organization, and we invite candidates from both sides of the aisle to participate in our town halls and community forums.
Community outreach and cultural initiatives
We also partner with our chapter leaders and organizations across the country to reach out to our diverse communities. We seek opportunities to celebrate our heritage, culture, and history. Visit our upcoming events or chapter pages to learn more.
