Key poll on Asian Americans and presidential election to be released

01 October 2008

ATTENTION: Reporters and producers covering the presidential race

WHAT
A Washington, D.C., press conference at which researchers from four leading universities will present the most comprehensive survey to date on Asian Americans and politics. Their data will directly address the John McCain-Barack Obama presidential contest.

In their groundbreaking 2008 National Asian American Survey, the researchers have documented the population's presidential preferences and the differences of opinion among its specific groups. The data also reveal the pivotal role Asian Americans could play in the U.S. presidential race, given their significant presence in battleground states and swing states, and indications that, with a notable percentage of that population undecided, their vote is up for grabs.

This multi-ethnic, multi-lingual survey of more than 4,000 Asian Americans was conducted from August through September by experts in the politics of immigration, race and ethnicity.

WHEN
Monday, Oct. 6, 9 to 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

WHERE
Murrow Room, National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

WHO
Political scientists from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley); UC Riverside; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; and the University of Southern California (USC).

DETAILS
Reporters who cannot attend the press conference may participate in a call-in news briefing with the researchers from noon to 12: 45 p.m. Eastern Time (9 to 9:45 a.m. Pacific Time). Please call (866)740-1260 and enter access code 9746314. Please R.S.V.P. by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Oct. 3, to Christine Chen at (703) 593-0000.
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According to the survey researchers, Asian Americans make up 5 percent of the U.S. population and will likely play a significant role in battleground states such as Virginia, Nevada and Washington where they account for 5 percent or more of the population. Even in states such as Colorado, Ohio and Florida, where they are less numerous, Asian Americans may provide the margin of victory. Next to Latinos, they are the fastest growing share of the U.S. population.