On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Sugar Land, the town square was bustling with people celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Among the crowd was Dipal Parekh, an immigrant from India who has called Fort Bend County home for nearly 30 years. She expressed how the culture, community, and diversity in the county make it feel like home to her.
The Asian American population in Fort Bend County has been steadily growing, with an 83% increase in residents of Asian descent from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This demographic shift has led to increased political power for Asian Americans in the county. They now make up nearly 20% of eligible voters in Fort Bend County, with a significant portion showing support for the Republican party.
With the upcoming presidential election, a high voter turnout is expected among Asian Americans. A recent poll conducted by Asian Texans for Justice found that 84% of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Texans are strongly motivated to vote this year, up from 64% in the previous midterm election. The top issues for AAPI voters include jobs and the economy, inflation and cost of living, healthcare access and costs, and women’s rights.
Fort Bend County, once a solidly red county, has seen a leftward shift in recent years. This shift prompted Republicans to re-draw the state’s districts to dilute the Asian American vote in statewide and congressional races. However, Asian American voters still hold significant voting power in local city and county elections.
Both political parties are actively seeking to attract Asian American voters in Fort Bend County. Lily Trieu, co-founder of Asian Texans for Justice, emphasizes the need for more outreach to AAPI voters across the state. In Fort Bend County, there has been a noticeable increase in outreach efforts to Asian communities by candidates, advocacy organizations, and nonprofit groups.
Relational organizing has proven to be an effective strategy in mobilizing Asian American voters. By reaching out to family members and friends within the community, organizations like Rise AAPI are able to encourage voter participation. Michael Liu, a precinct chair for the Fort Bend Republican party, highlights the importance of the Asian vote in determining election outcomes.
While Harris County has a larger Asian American population, Fort Bend County has a higher percentage of Asian American residents. This concentration makes it easier to reach and mobilize South Asian voters like Sujatha Srikanth, who is actively involved in voter mobilization efforts.
At the Diwali festival, Vijay Kane emphasized the importance of educating oneself on candidates’ positions before casting a vote. He highlighted the need for voters to understand what they are voting for and what the candidates stand for.
In conclusion, the growing Asian American population in Fort Bend County is playing an increasingly significant role in local politics. With high voter motivation and active outreach efforts, Asian American voters are poised to make a substantial impact in the upcoming elections.