- galaxy
- 30 Oct 2024 09:29 AM
- 2024 US elections, Indian-American community
As America approaches a pivotal election day, the spotlight is on the Indian-American community, which boasts over 5.2 million eligible voters. The contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has intensified, polarizing the nation and highlighting the significant electoral power of this demographic.
Historically, Indian-Americans have leaned heavily towards the Democratic Party. However, this election cycle shows a notable shift, with a growing segment of this community considering Republican candidates. The recent survey conducted by the Carnegie group, in collaboration with YouGov, sheds light on voting intentions among Indian-Americans as November 5 approaches.
Key Findings from the Survey:
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Democratic Support: Approximately 60% of Indian-Americans favor Kamala Harris, while about 33% are likely to support Donald Trump. This reflects a slight uptick in Trump's appeal within the community compared to previous elections.
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Gender Dynamics: The survey reveals significant gender disparities in voting intentions. While 67% of Indian-American women plan to vote for Harris, only 53% of men share that sentiment. Conversely, 22% of women intend to vote for Trump, but 39% of men do.
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Party Identification: Alarmingly for Democrats, only 47% of respondents identified as Democrats, a drop from 56% in 2020. Republican support remains stable, and a rising number of voters identify as independents.
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Heritage Factor: Interestingly, Indian-American Republicans like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy received unfavorable ratings among survey participants, indicating that Indian heritage alone does not guarantee support.
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Top Issues: The survey highlighted key concerns for Indian-Americans, with "inflation" and "cost of living" ranking highest, followed closely by "the state of the economy" and "jobs." These issues may heavily influence voting decisions.
Survey Insights:
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Demographic Growth: The Indian-American population in the US has surged by 50% between 2010 and 2020, now making them the second-largest immigrant group after Mexican-Americans.
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Income Levels: The median household income for Indian-Americans stands at approximately $153,000, more than double the national average, reflecting their significant economic footprint.
As the election nears, the Indian-American community's voting patterns could prove decisive. With Harris representing the first major party candidate of Indian heritage, the stakes are higher than ever, and how this community votes may shape the future of America.