Statewide Poll on Asian American Political Views

Asian American civil rights organizations in Los Angeles and San Francisco announced the results of one of largest multilingual surveys of voter opinion conducted in the state. The Asian Pacific American Legal Center of South California (APALC) and the Asian Law Caucus (ALC) surveyed 4,713 voters at polling places throughout Los Angeles and San Francisco Counties and the City of Oakland this past Tuesday.

“This exit poll provides valuable insights into the opinions of California’s growing Asian American electorate,” said Stewart Kwoh, Executive Director of APALC. “As one of the fastest growing populations in the state, it is important that policy makers understand the concerns and positions of Asian American communities.”

The poll sampled voter opinions on four state propositions, finding broad support in the state’s two most populous regions for Proposition 1C, the housing bond, and Proposition 1D, to increase spending on schools. Asian Americans also strongly supported increasing tobacco taxes to fund health care. The survey revealed some differences of opinion on Proposition 85, a proposal that would have required parental notification of abortions. A majority of Asian Americans voted in favor of the proposal in Los Angeles, while the proposal was supported by only a minority of Asian American voters in San Francisco and Oakland.

The poll showed Asian American voters had mixed opinions on the candidates for governor. In Los Angeles County, Asian Americans were divided over the governor’s race. In San Francisco and Oakland Asian American voters favored Phil Angelides. However, supporters of both candidates supported an agenda for expanded government support for health care, housing, and schools.

The poll surveyed voters of all races and nationalities and was conducted in nine languages. It revealed common interests amongst diverse voters. On the hotly debated immigration issue, the poll found broad and diverse support for providing a process of undocumented immigrants to become citizens. 90% of Latino, 70% of African American, and 68% of Asian American voters expressed support for a legalization program. Regarding an issue likely to appear in upcoming state elections, Asian American voters also showed support for same-sex marriages. 51% of Asian American voters in Los Angeles stated they opposed a continued ban on same-sex marriages, while 68% of Asian Americans in San Francisco and 72% in Oakland expressed a similar opinion. On another likely future ballot topic, 80% Asian Americans in all regions expressed strong support for increasing racial diversity in public education.

“Amidst our diversity of languages and communities, this poll shows that Asian Americans in both Northern and Southern California share many values and concerns,” said Gen Fujioka, Director of Programs for the Asian Law Caucus. “The poll shows support for an agenda to improve public schools, housing, and health care and a desire to build a more inclusive society. This poll offers us the elements of a policy agenda for the up coming year.”
Download Accompanying Data Table

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