Press Release
In AALDEF’s Election Day exit poll of close to 14,000 Asian American voters, Clinton favored over Trump by wide margin
New York City…Preliminary AALDEF exit poll findings of close to 14,000 Asian Americans on Election Day reveal that voters in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, and Nevada strongly favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race.
“The extreme anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and racist rhetoric in this election was deeply disturbing to Asian American voters, who wanted to support candidates who shared their values and hope for America,” said Margaret Fung, AALDEF executive director.
AALDEF dispatched 950 attorneys, law students, and community volunteers to 64 cities in 14 states to document voter problems on Election Day and to conduct a nonpartisan Asian American exit poll in English and 11 Asian languages.
AALDEF Democracy Program Director Jerry Vattamala said: “The Asian American Exit Poll provides critical information about the Asian American electorate, including limited English proficiency rates, lack of language assistance, and other barriers, such as voters being required to prove their citizenship, remove their religious headscarves, or provide ID because of their race or appearance.”
Based on Asian American voters polled on Election Day, 79% backed Hillary Clinton, 17% were for Donald Trump, and 3% voted for other candidates. The following is a breakdown by state:
Vote for President:
Pennsylvania
87% for Clinton, 12% for Trump, 1% other (Trump won 49% of total votes, Clinton 48%, other 2%)
Michigan
91% for Clinton, 7% for Trump, 1% other
(Trump won 48%, Clinton 47%, other 4%)
Georgia
69% for Clinton, 21% for Trump, 3% other
(Trump won 51%, Clinton 46%, other 3%)
Texas
59% for Clinton, 33% for Trump, 2% other
(Trump won 53%, Clinton 43%, other 3%)
Florida 78% for Clinton, 19% for Trump, 1% other(Trump won 49%, Clinton 48%, other 2%)
Louisiana
46% for Clinton, 49% for Trump, 1% other
(Trump won 58%, Clinton 38%, other 2%)*
Nevada
69% for Clinton, 29% for Trump, 2% other
(Clinton won 48%, Trump 45%, other 3%)*
Virginia
81% for Clinton, 17% for Trump, 1% other
(Clinton won 50%, Trump 45%, other 3%)
Maryland
71% for Clinton, 23% for Trump, 1% other
(Clinton won 60%, Trump 35%, other 3%)New Mexico**57% for Clinton, 36% for Trump, 7% other(Clinton won 48%, Trump 40%, other 9%)
Massachusetts
80% for Clinton, 12% for Trump, 1% other
(Clinton won 61%,Trump 33%, other 4%)*
New Jersey
83% for Clinton, 13% for Trump, 2% other
(Clinton won 55%, Trump 42%, other 2%)*
California
77% for Clinton, 17% for Trump, 2% other
(Clinton won 61%, Trump 33%, other 3%)*
New York
82% for Clinton, 14% for Trump, 2% other
(Clinton won 59%, Trump 37%, other 2%)*
District of Columbia 93% for Clinton,4% for Trump, 3% other(Clinton won 93%, Trump 4%, other 2%)
On Election Day, AALDEF collected surveys from close to 14,000 Asian American voters at 91 polling places in 14 states with large or fast-growing Asian American populations. Poll sites were selected based on voter registration files, census data, interviews with local election officials and community leaders, and a history of voting problems. Approximately 950 attorneys, law students, and community volunteers were stationed at poll sites throughout the day, generally between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Surveys were written in English and 11 Asian languages, and volunteers were conversant in Asian languages and dialects. Additional exit poll results regarding Asian ethnic groups, most important issues influencing their votes, and preferences for Senate and House candidates will be released soon.
Presidential Election Results, New York Times, Nov. 9, 2016
NOTE: This release was updated with additional information on Nov. 22, 2016.
For more information, contact:
Jerry Vattamala, Democracy Program Director
212.966.5932 x207
Margaret Fung, Executive Director
212.966.5932 x201mfung@aaldef.org