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Asian & Pacific
Islander American Youth Need to Be Counted!
Youth Vote: About Our Efforts
- Why is this important?
- How can you train your organization/university?
- Tools for a successful campaign
- What resources are available?
YOUTH VOTE: ABOUT OUR EFFORTS
OUR PARTNERS AND INITIATIVES:
- National Asian Pacific American Panhellenic Association (NAPA)
- South Asian American Voting Youth (SAAVY)
The National Asian Pacific American
Panhellenic Association (NAPA) began as the APIA
Greek Alliance in the Summer of 2004 as a partnership in a "Get
out the Vote" campaign with APIAVote. Seeing the successful
collaboration's potential impact on the APIA community and on its
campuses, the group began to take on more projects and eventually
evolved into what NAPA is today.
Through projects such as APIA Vote, Tsunami Relief, Katrina Relief,
and partnerships with other APIA organizations, they have collaborated
to address issues facing the Asian American fraternity and sorority
community, as well as the Asian American community as a whole.
NAPA is committed to a long term, ongoing relationship with APIAVote.
For the 2008 election cycle, NAPA has launched the 5% Campaign. Project 5% is made possible by a joint effort between the National APIA Panhellenic Association (NAPA), APIA Vote and respective community organizations nationwide. The project is led by a group of volunteers made up of men and women from Asian American Fraternities and Sororities across the country. The goal of the project is the promote political awareness amougst 5% of the American population that is of Asian descent. The project along with supporters and affiliates, hope to register 10,000 new APIA voters by the October registration deadlines.
For updates on the campaign please visit the 5% Campaign Blog.
Where is the activity in your region? Check out the 5% Regional Map to find out!
For questions or to get involved, contact William Xu.
(All donations made to APIAVote can be designated for NAPA efforts and are tax-deductible.)
Over the years, the South Asian American
Voting Youth (SAAVY) has developed a strong working
relationship with APIAVote by serving as a 2004 National Coalition
Partner and helping coordinate efforts of interest to South Asian
American youth. In 2007, SAAVY will now become a special project
of APIAVote. As APIAVote continues to grow, SAAVY will work within
this prominent organization to ensure that South Asian American
youth have a distinct voice within Asian American and minority voting
coalitions, and the SAAVY board of directors will continue to provide
guidance to the project as well.
The South Asian American Voting Youth (SAAVY) program will continue
to seek to empower 18-24 yr. old South Asian Americans to be united
in one voice, creating a powerful voting bloc that will allow South
Asian American issues to be pushed to the forefront of American
politics. As a result, this year through the SAAVY/APIAVote internship
program, priority will be given to a South Asian American student
with proven leadership skills and commitment to the South Asian
and broader APIA community.
NAPA and SAAVY are an integral part of APIAVote's effort to mobilize
APIA youth networks across the nation by integrating voter registration
and mobilization into established student programs, recruiting APIA
youth on college campuses to host coordinated voter registration
drives on campus, and turning out the APIA Youth Vote.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Among minority youth groups, APIA youth have
the lowest rates of voter registration. Among young (18-24) Asian
American voter turnout has declined during midterm election years.
Among Asian American citizens, turnout has declined from 24% in
1994 to 19% in 1998.
In the 2000 Presidential election and 1998 midterm elections, APA
youth had the highest voter turnout of any other minority group
and once APIAs actually become registered to vote, they are the
most likely voters to go to the polls on Election Day!
We invite you all to take on the challenge of outreaching to all
APIA organizations on your campus and holding joint events to host
joint registration house parties and registration drives. Make the
campus aware of your strides to make the Asian-American voice known!
HOW CAN YOU TRAIN YOUR ORGANIZATION/UNIVERSITY?
NAPA along with other student groups, coalitions and Asian-interest greeks across te country are participating in the 5% Campaign to engage youth this 2008 election cycle.
If your student group or organizer would like to get involved, please contact Alvina Yeh
APIA Vote has developed a Campus Toolkit for your reference. This Campus Toolkit contains useful
information such as:
- Checklists for Organizing Voter Registration Campaigns
- Tips for Organizing a Voter Registration Drive
- Practical Tips for Voter Registration
- APIA Voting Facts & Statistics
- Talking Points on the Importance of Voting
- Legal Tips for Participating in Election Activities
NAPA has adopted this manual for our members in an Abbreviated
Format. Please check back mid-August 2008 for both resources.
TOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
In order to launch a successful voter registration and Get Out
The Vote (GOTV), AGA strongly recommends that you network with the
leadership of your university student organizations. This should
begin with the AGA organizations, but by no means be limited to
them. For your convenience, we have developed for several materials
for your use:
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?
Confused about state deadlines and absentee ballots? Not sure about
your state laws and restrictions? Click on the following information
and check it out!
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