While Asian-Americans are often cited as a demographic that prioritizes education above all else, a new survey shows that’s not entirely true.
AAPI Data/AP-NORC Displays survey data inflation is a major issue for Asian voters this year, and experts say political campaigns will need to change their approach if they want to make progress.
“These data really confirm what those who pay attention to Asian American political and public opinion have known for some time,” said Janelle Wong, senior researcher at AAPI Data, a data and civic engagement nonprofit. “The Asian American political agenda is broader than some might assume.”
In the past, politicians relied on too many stereotypes when they weren’t prepared for questions about Asian American voters, Wong said.
“They were asked, ‘What are the issues that Asian Americans care about?’ when asked, they give such knee-jerk answers,” he said. “They think it’s education.”
But in fact, according to the survey, education doesn’t even crack the top five issues that Asian voters prioritized this year. Inflation was the top priority for 31% of respondents, immigration for 29%, the environment for 25%, the economy for 24% and health care reform for 23%.
Asian voters care about education, but not more than the average American voter, Wong said. Education and student debt ranked sixth among Asian voters, with 19% citing it as a top priority, compared to 22% of US adults overall.
“This assumption leads many candidates and campaigns to overlook other priorities of Asian Americans,” he said.
Asian American voters are expected to make up 6.1% of the 2024 electorate. According to the Pew Research Center. In 2020, 72% of Asian voters said they voted for Joe Biden and 28% for Donald Trump.
Wong said some of the priorities that separate Asian voters from other voters are their views on health care and the environment, which tend to be more progressive. He believes that in order to get support from the society, candidates should be ready to talk about these points.
“This particular set of findings shows how critical it is that people pay attention … and not just rely on stereotypes to figure out what we’re interested in,” she said.
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