Health care along with jobs and the economy are the top two concerns of Asian American voters over the age of 50, according to AARP.
The advocacy organization took a deeper dive into the recent 2020 Asian American Voter Survey to reach its conclusions, reported the News India Times
The data show 93% of Asian Americans over age 50 cite health as the most crucial issue. Jobs and the economy closely follow in second, a topic listed by 89% of respondents as either “extremely important” or “very important”.
“At the beginning of the pandemic in March, 58% of Asian American voters 50-plus said that addressing the coronavirus was extremely or very important to them and their community,” said AARP. The article notes that into Fall, seven of ten (72%) of respondents “worry often about job loss and employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic” while 48% are concerned about their access to healthcare, and 45% cite worries over being the target of hate crimes, harassment, and discrimination.
News India Times reports that 86% of Asian American voters over 50 are “very likely” to participate in the upcoming elections. This may come as no surprise, as the article states this age group’s voter turnout is highest in every election. This is the case regardless of racial/ethnic background.
46% have voted or plan to vote by mail, according to the AARP survey. 14% plan to vote early in person, and 37% in person on election day.
Most are Democrats- 41%. 33% identify as Republican, and 26% as Independent. Overall, 58% consider themselves moderate, 26% conservative, and 16%Liberal.
56% prefer an elected official to “exhibit integrity, honesty, and moral character”. 52% look for someone who “understands deeply the day-to-day issues of ordinary Americans”. Another 52% would be more likely to choose someone who “prioritizes getting things done above political party ideology”.
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