Introduction
An inclusive political system is arguably one of the hallmarks of a democratic
society. Yet data from the 2000 Current Population Survey (CPS) show that Asian
Americans, one of the fastest growing segments of the American population, demonstrate
the lowest turnout rates of any major ethnic or racial group (Jamieson, Shin and Day
2002). According to a CPS report, 43% of Asian American citizens of voting age turned
out in the 2000 Presidential election, compared to 62% of non-Latino whites, 57% of
non-Latino blacks, and 45% of Latinos (Jamieson, Shin and Day 2002).
Asian Pacific American political participation is critical for understanding the prospects
for and limits to full participation in the United States among the country’s increasingly
diverse population.
Political Mobilization among Asian Pacific Americans
Traditional studies of political participation find a strong relationship between
socioeconomic status and voting (Conway 1991; Verba, Scholozman and Brady 1995).
However, it is important for researchers and advocacy groups to look beyond
socioeconomic status in studies of Asian Pacific American participation. Because the
average household income of Asian Pacific Americans as a group is greater than that of
most Americans (Seelye 2001), one might expect that their political participation would
be high. Yet socioeconomic status appears to play a more limited role in the political
participation of Asian Pacific Americans compared to other groups (Uhlaner, Cain, and
Kiewiet 1989; Nakanishi 1991; Lien 1994, 1997, 2001; Cho 1999; Junn 1999).
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The November 2000 Current Population Survey shows that 83% of Asian American registered citizens of
voting age turned out in the November 2000 election (compared to 86% of non-Latino whites, 84% of
blacks, and 79% of Latinos who were registered citizens of voting age) (Jamieson, Shin, and Day 2002).
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Convention