US poll shows strong support for Kamala Harris from Asian-Americans – will it be pivotal?

About 66 per cent Asian-American respondents say they will vote for Harris compared with 28 per cent support for Trump, a survey shows

Reading Time:4 minutes

US Vice President Kamala Harris takes a photo in the White House at a reception in 2022 to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Photo: AP

Published: 8:00am, 21 Oct 2024Updated: 8:51am, 21 Oct 2024

Strong Democratic support from Asian-American voters as shown in an opinion poll could prove pivotal for Vice-President Kamala Harris in November’s US presidential election, analysts say, with many from the community backing her approach to US-China relations and concerned about Republican candidate Donald Trump’s more erratic policies.

A survey conducted in September by the NORC research organisation at the University of Chicago found most Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters would support Harris in the election, with 66 per cent of Asian-American respondents saying they planned to vote for Harris, while 28 per cent said they would back former president Trump.

Based on answers from 1,123 respondents, it was the first major survey of AAPI voters since President Joe Biden exited the presidential race in July, leading to Harris receiving the Democratic nomination.

The NORC results showed a stark increase in Democratic support among AAPI voters compared with the Asian-American Voter Survey (AAVS), conducted from April to May, which found 46 per cent of Asian-American voters backing Biden and 31 per cent supporting Trump.

When it came to issues that were top of special importance to AAPI voters, the NORC report found that 47 per cent of respondents believed Harris would handle US-China relations better versus 28 per cent for Trump. Meanwhile, 49 per cent said Harris would fare better in managing ties with Taiwan, compared with 23 per cent for Trump.

Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reintegrated into mainland control, by force if necessary. While many nations, including the US, do not officially acknowledge Taiwan as an independent state, they oppose any use of force to alter the status quo.