LAS VEGAS — Filipino American community organizers meeting here this week believe that the “strategic importance and political strength” of the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the U.S. will be the deciding factor in November’s presidential elections. ? Meantime, they are confident that the collective vote of Nevada’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) is expected “to make a significant difference” as the battle for party nominations shifts focus to the Democratic caucuses set here on Saturday, January 19.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid met on Oct. 16 with members of the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), the only national, multi-issue Asian Pacific American women’s organization in the country. The special event was held to discuss issues that are important to the Asian American community, particularly the need to end to human trafficking and making healthcare more affordable.
L AS VEGAS - The nonpartisan coalition One Nevada, in partnership with APALA-NV and APIAVote, continues its GOTV campaign by encouraging early voting, phone banking infrequent registered AAPI voters daily, and canvassing highly concentrated AAPI neighborhoods to increase the AAPI vote. With Nevada’s 5 electoral votes in the air, a once emerging AAPI community, comprising about 102,000 eligible voters, is now Nevada’s key electorate.
Two days before the election, Barack Obama supporters in the Valley are trying to keep the energy high and stay as visible as possible. Sunday, a group of volunteers appealed to Asian-American and Latino voters by going on the road. With a caravan of decorated cars, Obama supporters criss-crossed the valley in a last-minute push to get out the vote.
What a weekend! Just 24 hours ago, I was outside the Harbor Palace Restaurant in Las Vegas Chinatown waving a “Vote for Obama” sign alongside Kelly Hu. Now I’m back at work, responding to emails.
With the election now just six weeks away, the minority vote is proving to be more crucial than ever.
