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Thursday, March 28, 2024

94% of Korean-American Voters “We Will Vote”

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The election fever is in full swing among Korean-Americans as Nov. 8 is getting closer.

In a survey conducted via telephone for the last month by the Korean Resource Center (KRC), 94 percent (2,595) of the respondents said that they plan to vote. That is a significant rise, as similar surveys in the past before elections saw about 70 to 80 percent of the respondents saying that they will vote.

“It seems like more Korean-American voters are actively involved in voicing their political opinions for this year’s election,” said KRC president Dae-joong Yoon.

Yoon added that only 46 percent of the Asian-American community voted in the 2012 election, marking the lowest rate among all ethnicities behind blacks (66 percent), Caucasians (64 percent) and Latin-Americans (48 percent).
“I sincerely expect Korean-Americans to use their rights and participate in the elections,” Yoon said.

The survey, held between Sept. 5 and Oct. 10, targeted approximately 100,000 Korean-American voters. The number of those who responded was 3,147.

Respondents were also asked about three major propositions ahead of the elections. About 85 percent answered that they agree with Prop 55, which secures the current tax rate on the wealthy to fund K-12 schools and community colleges, as well as Prop 57, which provides second chances to teenagers who are on misdemeanor changes. About 78 percent agreed with Prop 56, which would increase tax on cigarettes.

On Oct. 20 at 10 a.m., the KRC will also hold a seminar to provide introduction to the public on the option of voting by mail, which officially began last Monday. The seminar will be at the Central Luther Church (987 S. Gramercy Pl.) on Olympic and Wilton.

“We plan on not only explaining how to vote by mail, but also help the voters cast their ballots on the spot,” said KRC community organizing manager Myung-shim Lee. “There are 17 propositions for this election. We will explain what those propositions entail.”

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 24. The last day to submit a request to vote by mail is Nov. 1.

By Soo Yeon Oh