In recent years, the South Asian community has achieved significant growth in population and political influence in the United States. This trend has been further emphasized by the participation of three politicians of South Asian descent in the 2024 presidential campaign: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Vice President Kamala Harris who is running for a second term with President Joe Biden.

During the Republican National Convention, Haley and Ramaswamy are expected to show their support for the Trump-Vance ticket through prime-time speeches. The Trump campaign sees Usha Vance, the wife of Vance and a 38-year-old Yale graduate and daughter of Indian immigrants, as a potential appeal to minority voters. The representation of South Asians in politics has seen a significant increase, with organizations like Indian American Impact reporting a rise from approximately 50 elected officials in 2016 to over 300 nationwide, including Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, amidst this progress, Asian American political activists from both parties are urging for greater engagement with the Asian American voting bloc, which has long been overlooked. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group of eligible voters in the United States. Since 2020, Pew Research Center has reported a growth of 2 million eligible Asian American voters, approximately the population of Nebraska.

Despite this growing electoral power, both parties have yet to make significant efforts to connect with Asian American voters. Christine Chen, the executive director of APIAVote, a nonpartisan group dedicated to empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, expressed concern about the lack of outreach by both Democrats and Republicans. The 2024 Asian American Voter Survey, released by APIAVote in collaboration with AAPI Data, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the AARP, revealed that half of the surveyed Asian American voters claimed they had not been contacted by either of the major political parties.

This lack of engagement is particularly worrisome as Asian American voters can potentially swing elections in battleground states like Georgia. APIAVote's data shows that the number of eligible Asian American voters in Georgia exceeds the margin of victory in 2020. To address this issue, political organizations must recognize the importance of understanding the issues that matter to Asian American voters, such as the economy, education, inflation, and immigration, as highlighted by the Asian American voter survey.

Immigration, in particular, is a key concern for South Asian Republican voters due to the significant backlog of Hindu and Indian Americans waiting for green cards. While there may be political differences among the community, the need for substantial action on immigration is recognized by progressive Indian American voters as well.

The push for Asian American engagement in the voting process remains crucial, recognizing the role they could play in protecting democracy. With a significant number of immigrant, first-time voters within the Asian American community, it is essential for all voters to participate in the election process to maintain a functioning democracy.

In conclusion, the steady growth of South Asian representation in politics highlights the need for increased engagement with Asian American voters. As the Asian American voting bloc continues to expand, both parties must prioritize outreach and address key concerns in order to secure their support. Engagement with this critical voting bloc is not only vital for electoral success but also essential for upholding the principles of a diverse and inclusive democracy.