An exploration of Asians, one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. Nearly 70% of Asian adults are immigrants, affecting the transition from ‘immigrant to citizen and then to voter.’

The paper analyses election participation in the CPS and the Pilot National Asian American Political Survey (PNAAPS)  to estimate future patterns of partisanship. They identify factors to distinguish voters from non-voters, using three categories of non-voting Asian adults:

• non-naturalized immigrant adults
• U.S. citizen adults not registered to vote
• registered voter adults who did not vote in the 2000 or 2004 election

The paper outlines a process of becoming engaged that focuses on the generational model of the journey from immigrant to citizen to voter.

• 1st generation arrives as an adult
• 2nd generation arrives as an older child
• 3rd generation is born here or arrives as a young child

Factors they identify include:

• Length of time in the US
• Generational differences, with the 3rd generation more likely to vote.
• Institutional barriers including electoral laws, naturalization requirements, dual nationality
• Lack of awareness of the American political system and low political socialization
• Support for immigrants in geographical areas where they affect the ethnic makeup of the region and an overall maturing of the community