Unlocking the AAPI Vote: A Study on Language Ballots and Voter Turnout in California Open Access

Abstract

Why do Asian voters have lower turnout despite a demonstrated interest in participation? Because of their high rates of immigration, Asian Americans are especially impacted by language barriers, evident by a large proportion of Asian voters with limited English proficiency. This paper studies the correlation between Asian language ballots provided by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act and corresponding Asian voter turnout at the county level in California for presidential and midterm elections from 2012 to 2022. While other studies have covered this topic area, this paper is unique in its subdivision by national origin group. The hypotheses test for six individual Asian ethnic groups in California: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese and Indian. With varying statistical significance, the paper finds a negative correlation between the provision of the language ballot and the corresponding Asian national origin group’s voter turnout. The Hindi ballot had the greatest negative correlation to Indian voter turnout, explained by the especially wide language diversity spoken by Indian Americans. The combined regression also showed a negative correlation of statistical significance between the provision of an Asian language ballot and Asian voter turnout. Some limitations that explain for the overall trend are counties or precincts with hidden coverage, where they may be substantively covered but not indicated in the data due to missing reports from the registrar’s office. Limited English proficient voters, even when provided with the ballot, may still be not predisposed to vote because of socioeconomic factors that cannot be observed in this study.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

LITERATURE REVIEW

Voter Behavior Defined Through Identity

Key Legislation at the Federal and State Level

Studies of Interest

THEORETICAL ARGUMENT

Resource Theory

Information Theory

HYPOTHESES

DATA

Voter Turnout Data

Language Ballot Data

Figure 1: Section 203 Asian Language Provisions

RESEARCH DESIGN

RESULTS

Figure 2: Chinese Voter Turnout Regression

Figure 3: Japanese Voter Turnout Regression

Figure 4: Korean Voter Turnout Regression

Figure 5: Filipino Voter Turnout Regression

Figure 6: Vietnamese Voter Turnout Regression

Figure 7: Indian Voter Turnout Regression

Figure 8: Model 5 Comparison

Figure 9: Asian Voter Turnout Regression

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Hidden Coverage

LEP Voters and Automatic Registration

REFERENCES

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Political Science
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Political Science, General
Keyword	Voting Rights Act
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Fraga, Bernard, Emory University
Committee Members	Peskowitz, Zachary, Emory University Bolton, Alexander, Emory University Staton, Jeffrey, Emory University

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