Las Vegas - The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) and APALA’s sister organization, the Institute for Asian Pacific American Leadership & Advancement (IAPALA), are urging voters to Get Out The Vote and to utilize early voting. So far almost 40,000 votes have been casted in Clark County alone as voters continue to cast their ballots in record numbers.
 
“After mobilizing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) families to be civically engaged and registering over 3,000 voters this cycle, APALA Nevada is intensifying our efforts to mobilize voters and leveraging our collective power, especially in places like Seafood City and Chinatown,” said Gloria Caoile, APALA Nevada Chapter Leader and head of the civic engagement efforts.
 
APALA Executive Director Gregory Cendana emphasized: “The AAPI population in Nevada grew 140% since 2000 and now the 177,000 eligible AAPI voters account for 9% of the state’s electorate. This symbolizes the shift in demographics and the electoral power AAPIs have in swing states like Nevada.”
 
“With strength in numbers, AAPI voters will become the margin of victory as we collectively turnout to vote leading up to Election Day on November 8,” said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. “AAPI working families must remember to exercise their right to vote. Election Day is only 13 days away. You can submit your ballot today and make your voice heard by clicking HERE for a detailed list of Nevada’s Early Voting schedules and locations.”

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Washington, DC - The presidential candidates met face to face in the last debate in Las Vegas before the November 8 election. The following is a statement issued by the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) in response to last night's debate: 

APALA National President Johanna Puno Hester stated: "Though last night's debate did focus more on important policy issues, one thing remained clear: one candidate had no substantive grasp on the issues or any plans to back up words, while one candidate is prepared to do so. We, at APALA, stand behind candidates up and down the ballot who not only understand the issues important to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community but also stand up for all working families, immigrants, and women."

"I'm glad that the debate included discussion on important issues like immigration and abortion. However, what was lacking was any discussion of how to address police violence in our communities and how their plans would stand with the movement for Black Lives," added APALA Executive Director Gregory A. Cendana. "Communities of color will have a powerful influence on the leadership of this country, and candidates need to include our voices, especially with regards to issues that affect us so close to home."

Hester ended: "We're doing everything we can to stop the threat that is Donald Trump, who has built a campaign spewing the most un-American things of racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. If we elect the GOP candidate on Nov. 8th, the lives of our children and families will indelibly be changed for the worse."

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​Washington, DC – Today, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) is proud to release the 2014 Congressional Voter Guide. To better educate the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, APALA’s voter guide provides a report on a variety of actions taken by members of the 113th U.S. Congress. Critical legislation regarding Minimum Wage, Equal Pay, Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Immigration Reform and others that greatly impact the AAPI community are decided by our elected officials in Congress.

The 2013 Census Bureau estimates that nearly 19.4 million AAPIs reside in America today. “As our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continues to grow, so does our collective political power,” said Gregory Cendana, APALA Executive Director. “Our Every Vote Counts political program furthers the mission of APALA by supporting AAPI civic engagement through involvement in voter registration, education, mobilization and protection.”

“With the 2014 midterm election less than a month away, APALA will continue to make phone calls, knock on doors, and do whatever is necessary to ensure that the AAPI community is informed and ready to vote,” said Johana Puno Hester, APALA National President. The 2014 Congressional Voter Guide was developed to hold elected officials accountable on issues pertaining to AAPI worker, immigrant and civil rights. “By voting for candidates who fight for economic justice, support worker, immigrant, and civil rights, we protect the interests of our community and empower all of us. APALA believes every vote counts.”

​To ensure our collective AAPI voice is heard and represented, APALA is encouraging members and partners to sign up to phone bank and volunteer be poll monitors/ poll workers. Only by becoming more involved in the electoral and legislative process can we influence government to become more responsive to our issues. ###