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What are APIA
community groups doing locally?
Below you will find a
list of APIA voter projects.
Get in touch with the local contacts to increase the APIA Vote!
Sign up and Volunteer
today by clicking
here:
APIA Local Voting Project Volunteer Opportunities
APIA Vote has collected information on activities of local coalitions
and APIA voter projects so interested volunteers and organizations
can combine their efforts with planned activities and existing coalitions.
If you or your coalition is conducting activities that are not listed,
please contact APIAVote and tell us about your efforts to empower
and amplify the APIA vote!
APIAVote is looking to help recruit volunteers for the various
efforts nationally. We hope you believe as we do that we need to
voice our vote on election day. To ensure this, we need your assistance
in phone banking, door knocking, distribution of materials, exit
polling, poll monitoring and election protection hotline. So sign
up today and help us recruit your friends to volunteer as well
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Multi-State Voter Registration,
Education and GOTV Program
Project Description
The National Korean American
Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was
founded as a consortium in 1994 by local community centers that
realized that only by coming together can we build and contribute
to a national movement for civil rights. NAKASEC is focusing on
broader voter education and voter protection efforts.
Volunteer Needs
In Los Angeles,
Chicago, and New York, NAKASEC is seeking both
English-speaking and bi-lingual Korean-speaking volunteers to assist
in their GOTV efforts.
Contact Information
Juhyung Lee, Program Coordinator, NAKASEC
Civic Engagement and Voter Empowerment Project
323-937-3703 x202
jlee@nakasec.org
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Election Protection
and Exit Polling Programs:
Project Description
The Asian American Legal
Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF),
is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil
rights of Asian Americans. On November 7, 2006 AALDEF, along with
several other Asian American civil rights groups, will be monitoring
the elections and conducting non-partisan voter surveys at polling
sites in Asian American neighborhoods across the nation.
In past elections, Asian Americans have faced a series of barriers
in exercising their right to vote. For example, poll workers were
rude, hostile, or racially discriminatory, poll sites had too few
interpreters and so Asian American voters were turned away because
there was no one to assist them, translated voting materials were
missing or hidden from voters, and ballots have been mistranslated,
one time listing Democratic candidates as Republicans. Then, when
the news media reported on election returns and the vote by specific
groups, Asian Americans were overlooked. In response, the Asian
American Legal Defense and Education Fund has conducted a non-partisan
survey of Asian American voters to document Asian American voting
patterns. AALDEF has also monitored the elections for compliance
with the federal Voting Rights Act, which mandates bilingual ballots
and forbids anti-Asian voter discrimination.
Volunteer Needs
In New York, New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Michigan
Volunteers are needed to administer a multi-lingual voter
survey in one or more 3-hour shifts and document voting problems
on Election Day. Polls are generally open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
There will be a one-hour training session for all volunteers. All
volunteers must be non-partisan during the time they help.
For more information click
here
Contact Information
Glenn D. Magpantay, AALDEF
800-966-5946
info@aaldef.org
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Project Description
The Asian American Justice
Center (AAJC) works
to advance the human and civil right of Asian Americans through
advocacy, public policy, public education and litigation. AAJC is
a co-sponsor of the 2006 Election Protection Program. The Election
Protection provides direct voter assistance through toll-free hotline,
866-OUR-VOTE, and through legal field programs in targeted states.
Volunteer Needs
In Washington, DC, New York,
San Francisco, Los Angeles: Volunteer attorneys,
law students, and paralegals are needed to staff the non-partisan
voter assistance hotline on Election Day, November 7th during polling
hours. Volunteers are asked to sign up for one six hour shift on
Election Day. The hotline will provide immediate assistance to voters
who encounter problems attempting to vote on Election Day in states
across the country. Expected problems include dissemination of misinformation
by poll workers, problems associated with voting machines (including
new electronic ones), and potential intimidation of voters in minority
communities. Training on specific state laws and materials will
be provided in advance; all volunteers must attend a 1.5 hour training
session.
In Targeted Locations (see list below): Volunteer attorneys, law
students, and paralegals are needed to staff the non-partisan voter
assistance hotline, serve as Mobile Field Attorneys, or serve as
“On-Call” Attorneys on Election Day, November 7th during
polling hours in each state. Each state program varies to suit the
needs of the jurisdiction; not all components are present in every
state. Volunteers are asked to sign up for one six hour shift on
Election Day. The hotline will provide immediate assistance to voters
who encounter problems attempting to vote on Election Day. Mobile
Field Attorneys roam between several pre-assigned targeted polling
locations, providing in-person assistance voters at the polls in
coordination with the local hotline and local Legal Command Center.
Expected problems include dissemination of misinformation by poll
workers, problems associated with voting machines (including new
electronic ones), and potential intimidation of voters in minority
communities. Training on specific state laws and materials will
be provided in advance; all volunteers must attend a 1.5 hour training
session.
Contact Information
Interested volunteers should sign up online at www.866OurVote.org.
Alexandra Acker, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under
Law
aacker@lawyerscommittee.org
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Voter Registration,
Education and GOTV Programs in Specific States
California
Los Angeles
Project Description
The Asian Pacific American
Labor Alliance (APALA) is the first and only national
organization of Asian Pacific American union members. APALA has
a long track record of political and legislative action. It has
been at the forefront of mobilizing and training the APIA community
for electoral and legislative action and educating the community
about issues affecting them from a progressive labor perspective.
This election, APALA will continue to focus their efforts on basic
components of a GOTV strategy – phone banking, precinct walking,
voter protection and voter education.
Volunteer Needs
APALA is seeking volunteers to conduct phone bank and precinct walking
operations.
Contact Information
Sumi Haru
818-509-0088
haru@ironlotus.org
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Project Description
The Asian Pacific American
Legal Center of Southern California (APALC),
a non-profit legal and civil rights advocacy organization, is looking
for volunteers to help with November 7, 2006 election activities
in Los Angeles County.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers can help with three activities: GOTV; poll monitoring;
and exit polling:
GOTV
Together with eight other non-profit organizations, APALC is undertaking
a non-partisan get-out-the-vote (GOTV) project targeting infrequent
Asian Pacific American (APA) voters who have consistent patterns
of not voting.
• Phone bank dates: From October 16 until November 7, we need
volunteers to call voters every day.
• Hours: Weeknight phone banking hours are from 5:00 pm to
9:00 pm. Weekend hours are from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Location: APALC’s office in downtown Los Angeles.
• Language ability required: We need volunteers who are bilingual
in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Khmer,
Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi.
Poll Monitoring
APALC is conducting poll monitoring at poll sites throughout Los
Angeles County.
• Dates and hours: On November 7, Election Day, poll monitors
go to two poll sites between 7:00 am to 9:30 am. Poll monitors must
also attend a 1½-hour training before November 7. This will
take place during the two weeks before November 7.
• Location: Poll sites in Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo,
Pilipinotown, San Gabriel Valley, Cerritos, South Bay.
• Language ability required: Bilingual ability is a plus,
but not necessary.
Exit Polling
APALC is coordinating exit polling at poll sites throughout Los
Angeles County.
• Dates and hours: On November 7, Election Day, there are
two exit poll shifts – 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 4:00 pm to
8:00 pm. Exit poll volunteers must also attend a 1½-hour
training before November 7. This will take place during the two
weeks before November 7.
• Location: Poll sites throughout Los Angeles County.
• Language ability required: Bilingual ability is a plus,
but not necessary.
Contact Information
Marchela Iahdjian, Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)
213-977-7500 ext. 232
marchela@apalc.org
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Oakland
Project Description
The Asian Pacific Environmental Network
(APEN) seeks to empower low-income Asian Pacific
Islander communities to achieve environmental and social justice.
APEN’s voter registration and GOTV efforts include their precinct
captain model focusing on increasing leadership within predominately
API communities in Oakland’s 2nd Council District.
Volunteer Needs
APEN is seeking both English-speaking and bi-lingual volunteers
to assist in their voter registration and GOTV efforts.
Contact Information
Amber Chan, PAO Lead Organizer, Asian Pacific Environmental Network
(APEN)
510-834-8920 x308
amber@apen4ej.org
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Orange, Riverside, and San
Bernardino Counties
Project Description
Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander
Community Alliance (OCAPICA) is dedicated to enhancing
the health, and social and economic well-being of Asians and Pacific
Islanders in Orange County, California. OCAPICA recently initiated
their voter project, "Project Asian and Pacific Islander American
Vote" which is focused upon GOTV and education efforts with
Asian and Pacific Islander low propensity voters in the Southern
California counties of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. The
project is funded by The James Irvine Foundation and includes, phone
banking, mailers, education workshops, and working closely with
the ethnic media.
Volunteer Needs
There will be a strong need for bi-lingual phone bankers and exit
polling. The desired languages are Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean.
Contact Information
Duc Nguyen
714-636-9095
ducnguyen@ocapica.org
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Hawaii
Honolulu
Project Description
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
(APALA) is the first and only national organization
of Asian Pacific American union members. APALA has a long track
record of political and legislative action. It has been at the forefront
of mobilizing and training the APIA community for electoral and
legislative action and educating the community about issues affecting
them from a progressive labor perspective. This election, APALA
will continue to focus their efforts on basic components of a GOTV
strategy – phone banking, precinct walking, voter protection
and voter education.
Volunteer Needs
APALA is seeking volunteers to conduct phone bank and precinct walking
operations.
Contact Information
Joan Takano
808-543-0043
jtakano@hgea.org
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Michigan
Detroit
Project Description
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
(APALA) is the first and only national organization
of Asian Pacific American union members. APALA has a long track
record of political and legislative action. It has been at the forefront
of mobilizing and training the APIA community for electoral and
legislative action and educating the community about issues affecting
them from a progressive labor perspective. This election, APALA
will continue to focus their efforts on basic components of a GOTV
strategy – phone banking, precinct walking, voter protection
and voter education.
Volunteer Needs
APALA is seeking volunteers to conduct phone bank and precinct walking
operations.
Contact Information
Ying Gee, APALA National Board Member and Chapter President
313-926-5361
ygee@uaw.net
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Minnesota
Minneapolis
Project Description
The South East Asian Resource Action
Center (SEARAC) is a national organization advancing
the interests of Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Americans through
leadership development, capacity building and community empowerment.
The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
(LACM) is a nonprofit organization founded to address
the critical needs of the Lao and refugee and immigrant communities
in the Minneapolis area. SEARAC and LACM have partnered to conduct
a pilot project that will include phone banking, direct mailing,
voter education and voter registration.
Volunteer Needs
SEARAC and LACM are looking for volunteers to assist in phone banking
efforts, register voters and conduct trainings regarding voter rights
and protections. Lao speaking volunteers
Contact Information
Sunny Sinh Chanthanouvong, LACM Executive Director
612-374-4967
sunny@laocenter.org
Doua Thor, SEARAC Executive Director
202-667-4690
doua@searac.org
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Nevada
Las Vegas
Project Description
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
(APALA) is the first and only national organization
of Asian Pacific American union members. APALA has a long track
record of political and legislative action. It has been at the forefront
of mobilizing and training the APIA community for electoral and
legislative action and educating the community about issues affecting
them from a progressive labor perspective. This election, APALA
will continue to focus their efforts on basic components of a GOTV
strategy – phone banking, precinct walking, voter protection
and voter education.
Volunteer Needs
APALA is seeking volunteers to conduct phone bank and precinct walking
operations.
Contact Information
Rozita Lee, APALA National Board Member and Chapter Political Director
702-321-9708
rozitalee@aol.com
Jimmy Garma, APALA Chapter President
jimmygarma@msn.com
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Texas
Houston/Austin
Project Description
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
(APALA) is the first and only national organization
of Asian Pacific American union members. APALA has a long track
record of political and legislative action. It has been at the forefront
of mobilizing and training the APIA community for electoral and
legislative action and educating the community about issues affecting
them from a progressive labor perspective. This election, APALA
will continue to focus their efforts on basic components of a GOTV
strategy – phone banking, precinct walking, voter protection
and voter education.
Volunteer Needs
APALA is seeking volunteers to conduct phone bank and precinct walking
operations.
Contact Information
Shwe Aung
713-659-5152
aung_shwe@itf.org.uk
Lee Forbes
512-477-6195
lee@texasaflcio.org
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Houston
Project Description
The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) is a national organization
dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being
of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. The OCA
of Greater Houston has recently launched the Asian
Pacific Islander American Voters Initiative Project. Components
of the program include voter registration efforts, poll monitoring
and exit poll interviews.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are needed for all efforts, and particularly those proficient
in Vietnamese-English and Chinese-English translation.
Contact Information
Eric Musico, Organization for Chinese Americans
281-822-0261
intern@ocahouston.org
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Washington
Seattle
Project Description
The API Coalition of King County and
APALA, will lead a coordinated civic engagement
effort that includes collaborations with local non-profits that
serve and advocate for API communities. The core of this effort
will be a phone-based GOTV effort as well as a coordinated mailing.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are needed to conduct the phone bank operations and to
mail out materials to voters.
Contact Information
George Cheung, CEO of Lopez & Cheung, Inc.
206-726-1818
cheung@lopezcheung.com
Tracy Lai
206-587-6978
traclai@mac.com
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