In past elections, Asian Americans have faced a series of barriers in exercising their right to vote. In addition, candidates and the news media have often overlooked the Asian American vote. In response, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund has monitored the elections for compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, which mandates bilingual ballots and forbids anti-Asian voter discrimination, and conducted a non-partisan multilingual survey of voters to document Asian American voting patterns.
In the 2004 elections, 1,200 volunteers polled almost 11,000 Asian American voters in eight states. This year, voter turnout is expected to increase drastically, including in the Asian American community! Volunteers are needed to administer a multilingual voter survey and document voting problems on Election Day.
Volunteer Requirements
- Volunteers must attend a one-hour training session. Click here to find one near you!
- Volunteers must work at least one 3-hour shift on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4)! Polls are generally open from 7AM to 8PM.
- All volunteers must be non-partisan during the time they help.
- Anybody can be a volunteer!
- You do not have to be 18 years old. High school students are welcome!
- You do not need to be a US citizen!
- You do not have to be registered to vote! (Although, if are eligible to register, we suggest you register and exercise your right to vote!)
To sign up and for a training schedule, go to www.aaldef.net or click "Sign Up Now!" on the corner. Thank you!
