In a recent survey, 8 out of 10 Korean American voters expressed plans to vote in the upcoming presidential election, highlighting a strong enthusiasm for participating in the electoral process.
According to a report released on October 8 by the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), 83.4% of Korean American voters stated that they are either “definitely voting” or “likely to vote” in next month’s election.
Despite the increasing number of Asian voters, who are expected to play a crucial role in determining election outcomes, political outreach and policy promotion targeting Asian Americans remain limited. Only 31.3% of Korean American voters reported being contacted by at least one of the two major parties between November of last year and January of this year.
Furthermore, 7 out of 10 Korean American voters expressed the belief that the political influence of Asians is too small, and 51% stated that their vote could lead to significant change.
The report also shed light on Korean and Asian American voters’ perspectives on key election issues.
On immigration, 84% of Korean American voters expressed support for undocumented immigrant relief, which includes measures such as granting temporary work permits and providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Additionally, two-thirds of Korean American voters believe the U.S. should continue to serve as a safe haven for asylum seekers.
Regarding public safety, 30.2% of Korean American voters said they believe police officers use excessive force. Meanwhile, 51.1% support reducing police department budgets if the funds are reallocated to mental health, housing, and education programs, while 41.7% oppose budget cuts for local police departments.
When asked about the Supreme Court’s ruling last year that affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional, nearly half (47.1%) of Korean American voters expressed strong or moderate support for the decision, while 29.4% opposed it.
On same-sex marriage, 65.3% of Korean American voters expressed support, and 58.7% indicated they support allowing transgender individuals to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
BY JIHYE YOON, YOUNGNAM KIM [yoon.jihye@koreadailyny.com]
