LAUSR

Racial stereotypes drive Asian American politics in the U.S. First, they limit sustained political mobilization. Second, they lead campaigns and candidates to misfire when they do try to target Asian Americans. Although Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the U.S., to date, our political clout has not matched our demographic strength. Asian Americans turnout in 2020 broke records, but similar to past cycles, continues to lag behind other groups. The model minority stereotype, or the idea that Asian Americans are unique among racial groups in their focus on education at the expense of creativity and political power, provides one easy but inaccurate explanation for relatively low levels of political participation among Asian Americans in the U.S. In the political version of this myth, Asian Americans care more about establishing an educational and economic foothold in the U.S. than getting involved in politics. The most pernicious version of this trope argues that Asian Americans have “made it” in the U.S. by keeping their noses down to pursue their capitalist dreams rather than “rocking the political boat.” But survey research shows little support for this idea. When asked about how they would spend extra time, for example, Asian Americans who chose “work” were not less likely to vote than those who would spend their time in other ways. Another stereotype, the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype, insists that Asian Americans are preoccupied with matters related to their countries of origin at the expense of U.S. politics. This idea fits well with the assumption that Asian Americans are more “Asian” than “American.” But research shows that Asian Americans who are most involved in the politics of their countries of origin also participate in U.S. politics at high rates. That is, those who are interested in politics are interested in politics everywhere. There are better explanations for why Asian Americans are less likely to register and vote than most other Americans. Mobilization matters. And Asian Americans are less likely to be contacted to take part in politics compared to other groups. This is in part because candidates and parties adopt the stereotypes above and conclude that Asian Americans don’t really want to vote. But it is also because Asian Americans are less likely to live in competitive swing states as Blacks and whites. In fact, more than half of all Asian Americans live in just five states, including deep blue California, New York, Hawaiʻi. With the exception of Texas, none has been considered competitive in recent election cycles. When push comes to shove, parties and candidates, faced with tough choices about