via The Asian-American debate | The Chronicle.
While the overall percentage of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) is low on a national level, we are finding that in states such as Washington, Texas, New York and California that the outcome of elections is affected by an informed voting APIA public.
Take a look at this report on electoral participation in 2012. http://www.naasurvey.com/resources/Presentations/2012-aapipes-national.pdf
In 2012 there were several ballot measures here in Washington State, and both a gubernatorial election and presidential election at stake. It turned out that the APIA vote was sufficient to swing the outcomes on several of the following ballot initiatives:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITP | Initiative 1185 | Taxes | Would require either two-thirds legislative approval or a vote by the people in order to raise taxes. |   |
| ITP | Initiative 1240 | Education | Allow 40 public charter schools in the state over five years. | |
| VR | Referendum 74 | Marriage | Would ask if same-sex marriage should be legalized in the state. | |
| ITL | Initiative 502 | Marijuana | Would legalize and regulate the sale of small amounts of marijuana to people 21 and older | |
| LRCA | SJR 8221 | Budgets | To include the recommendations of the commission on state debt. | |
| LRCA | SJR 8223 | Education | Provide authority to state research universities to invest funds. |  |
| AQ | Advisory Vote 1 | Taxes | Declares an intent to improve the long-term sustainability of the state budget. | |
| AQ | Advisory Vote 2 | Insurance | Delays the expiration of the pollution liability insurance agency’s funding. | |