Indian American voters in Georgia are showing high levels of enthusiasm, voluntary participation, and donations as the 2024 election approaches. Their excitement stems from the historic moment on Thursday night when Vice President Kamala Harris became the first South Asian and Black woman to accept a major party's presidential nomination in the United States. The presence of other Indian Americans in the national political arena, such as Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance, has further amplified their enthusiasm.

Georgia, a swing state, witnessed growing Asian American turnout during the 2020 election, with President Joe Biden securing victory by a slim margin of 12,000 votes. Among the various ethnic groups, Indian Americans showcased a particularly remarkable increase in political engagement. According to an analysis conducted by AAPI Data, Indian American voter turnout in 2020 stood at an impressive 71%. However, this election cycle, many Indian Americans are further channeling their energy by actively volunteering and making financial contributions.

Jasmina Chhabra, a 43-year-old working mom residing in the Atlanta area, is among those energized voters. She shared her excitement upon Vice President Harris' nomination, expressing that the prospect of having another chance for a female president was extraordinary. Chhabra has since become the Georgia chapter lead for Post March Salon, a group that organized a fundraising Zoom call benefiting South Asian women supporting Harris. In just two hours, the event drew approximately 9,000 attendees and raised over $300,000. Chhabra cites Harris' stance on women's rights and equity as a driving factor for her support, highlighting the emotional impact of having her daughter witness a president who looks like her.

The endorsement of Harris by Indian American voters has led to the creation of social media memes and the sale of merchandise promoting "Lotus for POTUS," a clever play on the Vice President's name, which means "Lotus" in Sanskrit. With 4.4 million Indian Americans residing in the United States, they form the largest subgroup within the Asian American community and the second-largest immigrant group in the country, following Mexicans. Experts suggest that Indian American voters can play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the 2024 election, particularly in battleground states like Georgia.

According to AAPI Data, the voter turnout rate among Asian Americans has been increasing at a faster pace compared to Latino, white, and Black voter turnout rates in Georgia. Indian Americans, being the largest national origin group within the Asian American population in the state, holds significant potential in shaping the 2024 election if the race remains close, says Bernard Fraga, a political science professor at Emory University.

A survey conducted by AAPI Data in 2024 reveals that 55% of Indian Americans identify as Democrats, while 25% identify as Republicans, and 15% identify as independents. Despite the majority still aligning with the Democratic Party, it is worth noting that the number of Indian Americans identifying as Republicans has been increasing since 2020, while the number identifying as Democrats has been decreasing.

Kartik Bhatt, a Georgia voter who migrated from India at the age of 19, shares his excitement for the 2024 election within the Republican Party. Bhatt's personal journey from working at a grocery store to owning a shopping plaza in suburban Atlanta has shaped his perspective on key issues that resonate with small-business owners. Bhatt believes that Trump, with his policies and stricter stance on the border, is the better candidate for their needs. The increased excitement surrounding this election has fostered a surge in voter registration within the Indian community, including individuals from India, Pakistan, and Nepal, who previously had limited knowledge about elections.

As the 2024 election draws nearer, the Indian American community in Georgia continues to demonstrate their active engagement and passionate support for candidates. With their robust turnout and shifting political affiliations, Indian American voters have the potential to significantly impact the electoral landscape in this critical battleground state.