Civic Engagement: Case Study of Project API Vote


 

Publication Date: September 2008

Publisher: California State University, Fullerton. Asian American Studies Program; Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance

Author(s): Eric Estuar Reyes

Research Area: Politics; Population and demographics

Keywords: civic engagement; non-partisan campaign; Asian American and Pacific Islander; Voting

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

The purpose of this report is to provide local
public policy makers and community members with
insights into the state of civic engagement by Asian
Americans in Orange County. To accomplish this
goal, the report examines data drawn from several
studies that analyze the November 2006 General
Election. While many of these reports focus on
quantitative aspects of voter participation, this
report focuses on the qualitative experience of
voters from the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese
American communities. The rubric masks
unique issues in specific communities and this report
focuses on these three communities as examples
of Asian Americans in Orange County. As part of
a broader project supported by The James Irvine
Foundation, the Orange County Asian and Pacific
Islander Community Alliance, Inc. (OCAPICA) is
implementing a voter mobilization campaign called
Project Asian and Pacific Islander Vote (Project API
Vote). A case study approach examines this project
and current findings to illustrate the critical role that
community-based organizations perform in fostering
vibrant communities and the productive insights
drawn from community perspectives.