Press Statements
APIAVote is a leading organization committed to empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through civic engagement. Our press statements provide timely updates, insights, and advocacy efforts related to voting rights, representation, and other policies and issues impacting AAPI communities. As you explore our press releases, you’ll find valuable information on policy initiatives, community mobilization, and the impact of AAPI voices in shaping our nation’s future.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is deeply disappointed by passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (HR 22) in the House of Representatives by a vote of 220-208. This legislation presents an unnecessary and harmful barrier to voter registration, disproportionately affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, as well as other historically marginalized groups.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – APIAVote, strongly opposes President Trump’s March 25th Executive Order that imposes new federal requirements on state-run elections, which includes mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, involving federal law enforcement in election oversight, and restricting mail-in ballot return deadlines. These election requirements not only undermine the existing Federal election process; under the Constitution, it is Congress and the states, not the executive that set the rules for our elections, furthermore, this EO threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), Asian and Pacific Islander Vote (APIAVote) and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), three leading advocacy groups representing the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, commend Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) for the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) in the House of Representatives on March 5th. The reintroduction comes just before the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, which marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and led to the eventual introduction and passage of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965.
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WASHINGTON D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) issued the following statement in reaction to the Executive Order that was signed by President Donald Trump on March 1, 2025, designating English as the official language of the United States.
“APIAVote is deeply concerned about the impact to AAPI communities stemming from the Executive Order to make English the official language of the United States. This policy will create new barriers for millions of AAPI voters, the fastest-growing demographic in this country, many of whom are Limited English Proficient individuals. It will make it harder for them to participate civically and vote, as well as access critical healthcare, economic and education resources. At the same time, the exclusionary nature of this policy will only fuel xenophobia and discrimination at a time when anti-Asian hate and hate against other minority and immigrant groups are rising.”
WASHINGTON D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) issued the following statement after news broke President Jimmy Carter peacefully passed away yesterday.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of former President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter. President Carter was a devout public servant who dedicated his life to serving not only the American people, but the global community. During his presidency, he became the first president to proclaim Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Week and led the United States in establishing official diplomatic relations with China, one of the most pivotal moments in US foreign policy,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote. “After his presidency, President Carter worked tirelessly on charitable causes around the world, focused on resolving conflict and brokering peace, promoting democracy and fair elections, fighting diseases and advancing healthcare.”[…]
Washington, DC — APIAVote extends its heartfelt congratulations and deep gratitude to Representative Judy Chu as she steps down from her historic role as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Serving as the caucus’s longest-serving chair since 2011, Rep. Chu has been a tireless advocate for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. […]
WASHINGTON DC – As we continue to process the election results, we at APIAVote remain as committed as ever to our mission. As our mission states, APIAVote is dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to foster a lasting culture of civic engagement. Our commitment goes beyond any single election, it’s about ensuring that AAPI communities are continuously engaged, activated, and supported year-round, making sure our voices are included and powerful throughout the halls of government. We are committed to advocating on behalf of AAPI communities everywhere on issues that matter most—whether it’s equitable access to healthcare, fair representation, educational access, or protections against hate, racism and discrimination […]
Survey of AAPI adults — a rapidly growing voting-age population, which played a decisive role in the 2020 election — commissioned by APIAVote and AAPI Data and conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago
Among Asian American registered voters, 66 percent plan to vote for Harris, 20 percentage points higher than Biden’s support in the Spring, while 28 percent plan to vote for Trump, down 3 percentage points
Washington, DC – September 24, 2024 – Today, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and AAPI Data released the findings from a survey of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults, the first since President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Harris became the Democratic nominee. The poll, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, shows a dramatic increase in support for the Democratic presidential ticket among Asian American voters since the release of the organizations’ bi-annual Asian American Voter Survey (AAVS) in July.
July 22, 2024
Washington, DC – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) condemns the racist attacks against Usha Vance, wife of Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance, political activist Harmeet Dhillon, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“APIAVote condemns the recent racist attacks directed at Usha Vance, Harmeet Dhillon, and Vice President Kamala Harris. Vance and Dhillon, both of whom spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, received racist backlash from far-right activists for their participation. In recent weeks, Vice President Harris has also faced an escalating wave of disinformation and hate, largely driven by her race and gender, as it became clear she would run for President. ”
“These reprehensible acts of bigotry are not simply just attacks on three individuals, but are affronts to the entire Asian American community,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “Such racism sends a chilling message to all Asian Americans and other historically marginalized communities aspiring to serve in public office and advocate for their communities. This racism must not be tolerated in our political discourse.”
“Asian Americans represent an increasingly powerful voting bloc in our country, and have made historic strides in recent years. We should be celebrating their engagement and encouraging their participation, not responding to their political mobilization with racism and intolerance. Embracing diversity strengthens our democracy, and it is imperative that we foster an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, can serve and make meaningful contributions to our society. We call on our elected officials to condemn this recent spike in xenophobic and anti-Asian rhetoric. We encourage all those in civic life to reference the Asian American Journalist Association’s style guide to prevent and discourage extremist rhetoric moving forward.”
July 23, 2024
Washington, DC – Vice President Kamala Harris has announced her campaign for president. As the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, making history as the first woman of Indian and Black descent to achieve this milestone.
“In a historic moment for American politics, Vice President Kamala Harris is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for President. As the first woman of Indian and Black descent to reach this milestone, her candidacy is a significant step forward for diversity and representation in government,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote).
“Hiram Fong, the first Asian American to ever run for president, ran in 1964. Now, 60 years later, it’s clear how much Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have achieved in empowering ourselves and building greater representation and influence. From increased participation in local and national elections to the growing presence of AAPI individuals in government, media, business, and cultural spheres, the contributions of our communities are more significant than ever. This progress is a testament to the resilience and determination of AAPI leaders and their commitment to shaping a more inclusive and diverse society for all.”
“Vice President Harris’s candidacy is more than just a personal milestone; it’s a win for all communities that have been underrepresented. Her achievements highlight the ongoing need for equity and inclusion in every part of society. Her rise to this position serves as an inspiration, encouraging people from all backgrounds to pursue their dreams and help build a more fair and representative America.”
February 29, 2024
June 27, 2023
The Supreme Court ruled in Allen v. Milligan that Alabama’s redrawn congressional district boundaries discriminated against Black voters, upholding Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This decision mandates Alabama to create a second-majority Black district and is celebrated by APIAVote’s Christine Chen as a victory for minority voters nationwide, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat voter suppression and advocate for fair representation. Full article
April 27, 2023
APIAVote praises the Senate HELP committee for advancing Julie Su’s nomination as Secretary of Labor, highlighting her immigrant background and experience addressing workforce challenges. Su’s career spans roles as Deputy Secretary of Labor and civil rights attorney, demonstrating her commitment to workers’ dignity and respect, with broad support from business, labor leaders, and officials urging swift Senate confirmation. Full Article
March 22, 2023
March 15, 2023
March 3, 2023
Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote, joined 53 organizations in issuing a report assessing federal agencies’ responses to Biden’s 2021 Executive Order on expanding voting access. The report highlights the need for agencies like USCIS to enhance voter registration at naturalization ceremonies and urges improvements to Vote.gov for better user-friendliness and language accessibility, emphasizing the importance of protecting democracy by facilitating voter registration.
February 22, 2023
February 17, 2023
January 25, 2023
APIAVote expresses deep sorrow over the mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, emphasizing the broader epidemic of gun violence in America, which has already seen 39 mass shootings in 2023. They urge immediate action from politicians to enact stricter gun laws, reflecting the majority’s will, as shown by the Asian American Voter Survey and Pew Research, to prevent further tragedies and support affected communities. Full Article
January 23, 2023
The recent mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay are tragic examples of America’s gun violence epidemic, which has already resulted in 39 mass shootings in 2023. APIAVote calls for urgent action from politicians to enact stricter gun laws, aligning with the majority view of Americans, including Asian American voters, to prevent further tragedies and support affected communities. Full Article
January 17, 2023
APIAVote applauds the WHIAANHPI and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders for their strategic plan to promote equity, justice, and opportunity for AANHPI communities. Christine Chen highlights the report’s focus on addressing anti-Asian hate, prioritizing data disaggregation, and promoting language access as key commitments of the Biden Administration. Full Article
December 13, 2022
APIAVote and North Carolina Asian Americans Together express concern over the Supreme Court case on North Carolina’s redistricting dispute. They warn that adopting the independent state legislature theory would grant state legislatures unchecked power in federal elections, undermining checks and balances and disproportionately affecting BIPOC communities. Full Article
November 1, 2022
APIAVote, with Lyft’s support, is providing transportation to ensure Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can vote during early voting and on Election Day. This partnership, part of Lyft’s Voting Access program, aims to eliminate transportation barriers and empower AAPI communities to participate in the political process. Full Article
October 27, 2022
October 26, 2022
October 4, 2022
Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote, emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court case Merrill v. Milligan, which addresses Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, protecting minority voting rights. Chen commended Evan Milligan for advocating fair representation, highlighting the disenfranchisement in Alabama’s congressional redistricting, and urged the Supreme Court to uphold the VRA to prevent further erosion of voting rights for people of color, including AAPIs. Full Article
September 22, 2022
July 25, 2022
APIAVote released survey results showing two-thirds of registered Asian Americans plan to vote, but only about half have been contacted by major parties. Key findings include a preference for mail-in ballots, strong support for stricter gun laws, significant concern over hate crimes, and a tendency to vote for Democratic candidates, highlighting the importance of addressing Asian American community issues in political campaigns. Full Article
June 9, 2022
APIAVote announces the first-ever Asian American-led Unity March on June 25, 2022, in Washington, D.C., supported by PepsiCo, TAAF, and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation. The march, featuring over 35 community leaders and activists, aims to advance the Equity Platform for democratic participation, racial and economic justice, and cultural equity and media representation, uniting historically marginalized groups on the National Mall. Full Article
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