Indian-Americans throw their weight behind Democrats

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund or AALDEF carried out the largest-ever survey of Asian-American voters during the 2006 US Congressional elections. The survey covered 11,000 Asian American voters across 20 cities in eight states. AALDEF’s figures for the Indian-American community’s voting trends could prove a pointer to presidential hopefuls from both the major American parties.

It’s generally assumed that Indians in America mostly vote for the Democratic party. Now, the largest-ever survey of Asian-Americans during the 2006 Congressional elections by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund or AALDEF, makes it clear just how strongly the community supports the Democrats.

Staff Attorney, AALDEF, Glenn Magpantay told CNBC-TV18, "We found that three-quarters of Indian-Americans enrolled in the Democratic party. A small percentage enrolled in the Republican party and the next party of choice was not enrolling in any political party. But in both the 2004 elections and the 2006 elections, we found the overwhelming majority of Indian-Americans voters favoured Democratic candidates."

Those numbers have been consistent over the past two election cycles, pointing to a possible trend for the 2008 Presidential elections as well. But while the war in Iraq may be the main issue for most American voters, Indian-Americans have another priority.

Magpantay SAYS, "The second issue was the war in Iraq. But it really was economy, jobs that the community wants the Presidential candidates to address for 2008."

AALDEF, an advocacy group has already succeeded in having polling information in New Jersey that is translated into Gujarati and attempts are on for similar translations into more Indian languages in other areas as well, like New York. American President George W Bush may have worked for a stronger relationship with India and the Republican party may have hoped this would translate into more Indian-American votes, but the community still appears to be a bastion of the Democratic party – atleast for now.

Anirudh Bhattacharyya