Co-Ethnic Mobilization Revisited: The Case of Asian Americans

• In Event: Voter Turnout

Abstract

While numerous studies have examined the efect of a co-ethnic candidate for African Americans and Latinos and found limited effects, Asian Americans remain relatively understudied. With the growth of Asian American voters across the nation, empirical questions prevail: Does the presence of an Asian American candidate on the ballot spur Asian American turnout? Can we expect country of origin subgroups such as Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese voters to support co-ethnic candidates or does such cohesion not exist? Using surname-matched vote returns for three elections for the California State Assembly, I examine pan-ethnic and national origin Asian American turnout in the presence of a co-ethnic candidate. I find the presence of an Asian American candidate has a measurable increase on pan-ethnic and national origin turnout. Findings suggest Asian American political behavior is markedly distinct from other minority voters and underscores the need for new theorizing in the area of minority political behavior.

Author

• Sara Sadhwani, Cal Lutheran University