Indian American voters in Georgia are highly engaged this election cycle due to the historic nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the first South Asian and Black woman to accept a major party’s presidential nomination in the United States. Other prominent Indian Americans in politics, such as Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance, have also generated excitement among Indian American voters. In swing state Georgia, Asian American turnout is growing faster than any other group, with many Indian Americans looking to volunteer and donate money. The high Indian American voter turnout rate of 71% in 2020 has led to increased political engagement in this election cycle.
Organizations like Post March Salon and South Asian Women for Harris have seen a surge in Indian Americans volunteering and donating, with many energized by the opportunity to support a female president who is also South Asian. Social media memes and merchandise supporting Harris, such as “Lotus for POTUS,” have emerged within the Indian American community. With 4.4 million Indian Americans in the United States, they represent the largest subgroup within the Asian American community and have the potential to impact the outcome of the 2024 election, especially in battleground states like Georgia.
Despite the majority of Indian Americans identifying as Democrats, there has been a recent increase in Indian Americans identifying as Republicans. Individuals like Kartik Bhatt, a Georgia voter originally from India, are energized by the Republican Party’s policies that support small-business owners and tougher border security. Overall, Indian American engagement in politics is on the rise, with many individuals from the community becoming more informed and involved in the electoral process.
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