Last month, Asian American and Pacific Islander voters cast their ballots alongside thousands of Floridians in the statewide primary election. As the AAPI electorate continues to grow across Florida, increasing by 70.26% between 2014 and 2024 according to US Census data, the community is playing a greater role in shaping Florida’s future. In a state where races are sometimes won by hundreds of votes, AAPI voters are poised to be key decision makers this coming November. 

However, even as AAPI community members gain greater visibility in civic and public life, voter intimidation remains a concern. In a national survey following the 2022 midterm elections, 16% of Asian American voters reported feeling threatened at their polling place, near a ballot drop box, or outside their polling place. Experiences like these can create barriers to full and equal participation in civic life and the democratic process.

At FL Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Progress (FLAAPP), we reaffirm that voter intimidation, harassment, and discrimination have no place in our elections.

This year, FLAAPP is working to protect AAPI voting rights by recruiting poll monitors directly from our communities. Volunteers with AAPI language skills play an important role by helping voters navigate the process, answer questions, and provide a welcoming presence at the polls. With election season approaching, there is still work to be done to ensure AAPI voters have the information and support they need to participate fully in our democracy. If you would like to volunteer as a poll monitor, go to protectthevote.net to sign up today.

If you are a voter and you experience intimidation or discrimination based on your race, ethnicity, or spoken language, report the incident to the voter hotline at 1-888-API-VOTE.

FLAAPP remains committed to strengthening civic participation and supporting AAPI communities across Florida.

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The FLAAPP coalition acts as a constituency table under the Florida For All Education Fund, Inc., a project of Florida Rising Together. It is composed of several different organizations advocating together on behalf of the AAPI community including Asian American Pacific Islanders Coming Together (ACT), Emgage, and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), with support from the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund and APIAVote.