First Ever Electoral Organization for Asian Pacific Islanders in Pennsylvania Will Make 1.3 Million Voter Contacts, Six-Figure Mail and Ad Buys

Philadelphia — Since starting its field operations in late July, Pennsylvania’s first Asian American 501c4 political organization, the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance (API PA), has made more than 475,000 voter contact attempts and will make over 1.3 million voter contact attempts in total during this election cycle, a huge accomplishment for a first-of-its-kind organization launching in this year’s challenging electoral conditions. 

For communities consistently under-engaged by traditional political institutions, these in-language and culturally-competent communications will be key to ensuring that Pennsylvania’s Asian American voters safely turn out to vote for Joe Biden, Nina Ahmad, and other down-ballot candidates API PA is supporting. Additionally, the organization will launch a six-figure digital ad buy and a six-figure direct mail program to mobilize and turn out Asian American voters across the commonwealth.  

“Historically, the API vote has been at best taken for granted, and more often completely ignored by our local, state and national politicians,” said Nancy Nguyen, co-director of API PA. “Our organization exists to make sure our communities’ values and needs are no longer sidelined. In 2020 and beyond, our work is to translate the vision that already exists in our temples, mosques, and churches; in our resilient small business hubs and cultural centers; in the longtime and new leadership in our community networks from elders to young people; and bring that vision and power to bear across the state at the ballot box, at the table with our representatives and in the streets.”

Voter turnout in Philadelphia and other population centers across Pennsylvania will be critical to ultimately electing local and state legislators who will stand with and be accountable to Asian, immigrant, refugee, and working-class communities. APIs are the fastest-growing demographic in the state, yet are historically under-engaged by political institutions and organizations. 

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The Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance’s (API PA) mission is to build long-term power for APIs in Pennsylvania, by coordinating political, electoral, and legislative work to hold our elected officials accountable, engaging in culturally competent and linguistically accessible direct voter contact with our communities, and building solidarity with other aligned communities of color across the state.