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]]> http://www.apacsd.org/477/feed/ 0 http://www.apacsd.org/gala/ http://www.apacsd.org/gala/#comments Sat, 04 May 2013 22:36:45 +0000 admin http://www.apacsd.org/?p=449

Check out photos from the gala: https://www.facebook.com/APACSD

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Join APAC and volunteer to help mobilize Asian voters in the 4th District!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2013

APAC LAUNCHES “GET OUT THE VOTE” CAMPAIGN IN THE 4th SD COUNCIL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION

An estimated 3,600 Asian voter households to be contacted prior to Election Day

SAN DIEGO – The Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), a prominent Asian civic group in San Diego, announced today it will begin contacting Asian voter households this week, encouraging them to vote in the City of San Diego 4th Council District Special Election scheduled for March 26th. Their efforts are part of a new APAC “Get Out The Vote” (GOTV) campaign to increase early voting and voter turnout of Asian residents on Election Day.

The GOTV initiative, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice,” began development during the 2012 presidential election. By combining political strategy, technology and volunteer manpower, the group plans to reach more than 3,600 Asian voter households over the next five weeks.

“We’re working to remind Asian voters that political empowerment begins with voting,” stated Mitz Lee, Chairwoman of APAC. “For political candidates and elected officials to hear us, we need to show up on Election Day, and participate in the democratic process.”

Planned APAC GOTV activities include targeted robocalls, direct mail, and door-to-door contact with Asian voters.

Lee explained that APAC chose to launch its GOTV program this week, as District 4 voters will begin receiving their mail ballots on February 25th. Ultimately, more than 70% of total ballots cast in this election are projected to come from absentee voters.

Analysts expect a low voter turnout in the 4th District Special Election; less than a quarter of registered voters are projected to cast a vote in the March 26th contest.

APAC is urging all District 4 voters to find out more information about the Special Election, including their polling location, at the San Diego Registrar of Voters website, www.sdvote.com.

Contact: Mitz Lee
858-232-4463

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Join us for the 1st Annual APAC Gala & Awards Dinner!

We are excited to announce the Honorary Chairs for the 1st Annual APAC Gala & Awards Dinner, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, City Council President Todd Gloria, and Tom Hom, Former State Assemblyman and City Councilman.

APAC Gala & Awards Dinner
Friday, March 15, 2013
6:00PM to 10:00PM

Sheraton Hotel – Mission Valley
1433 Camino del Rio S.
San Diego, CA 92108

Register Here

For sponsorship inquires, please contact Gala Committee Chair Jantima Danford at Jantima@APACSD.org

Title Sponsor

Continue reading »]]> With the election only weeks away, APAC is taking this opportunity to raise public awareness to the urgent need for greater voter participation from the Asian Pacific American community. Our voter education initiative, entitled “Your Voice, Your Vote,” is now calling for all San Diegans to join APAC and help rally Asian voters to the polls by volunteering for upcoming APAC “Get Out the Vote” campaign. Our participation in the democratic process is necessary in order to secure economic prosperity for our families, and the nation. APAC strongly encourages every San Diegan to cast their ballots on Election Day, November 6^th!

What can you do to Get Out the Vote?

1.    Encourage Friends and Family – Talk or email your loved ones, friends and co-workers and encourage them to vote and cast their ballot either by mail or at polling place on November 6.

2.    Get the Word Out - Post on Facebook or Twitter to cast a ballot for the November election. Change your voice mailbox’s greeting message to a reminder to vote.

3.    Volunteer – APAC encourages you to get involved and volunteer with the political campaign of your choice, no matter which political party. All of us have a civic duty to participate in the democratic process. Elected officials and political candidates also need to see that we care about our community and our issues!

Join APAC for Get Out The Vote! We are organizing fun Get Out The Vote activities over the next few weeks to encourage the San Diego APA community to cast their ballots. Bring a family member or friend, and volunteer with us for an afternoon or an evening and make a difference this Election Day! See the schedule below, and contact APAC Chairwoman Mitz Lee at mitz@mitzlee.com if you would like to participate in any of the following days:

* Thursday, November 1st: phone banking 10-8PM @ Ansir Innovation Center, Pangea Room, 4685 Convoy Street
* Saturday, November 3rd: phone banking 10-8PM @ Ansir Innovation Center, Tea Room, 4685 Convoy Street
* Monday, November 5th: phone banking 5-8PM @ Ansir Innovation Center, Tea Room, 4685 Convoy Street

ABOUT US: APAC is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to cultivate civic engagement to forward the voices of the Asian Pacific American community which include, but not limited to Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, and Vietnamese Americans. APAC was prominently involved in the local redistricting process last year. After spending months attending redistricting meetings, hosting rallies and advocating for an APA-influenced Council seat in the City of San Diego, APAC is now focusing on membership drive, voter registration and voter education and leadership development. WWW.APACSD.ORG

Continue reading »]]> APAC: NEW DATA FINDS SAN DIEGO’S ASIAN VOTERS ARE IN “LAST PLACE” FOR VOTER REGISTRATION, TURNOUT 

APAC Launches “Your Vote, Your Voice” Voter Education Initiative to Get Out The Vote on Election Day

The Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), a civic group that was prominently involved in the City of San Diego’s 2010 redistricting process, has released the following statement:

As San Diego voters begin receiving their ballots in the mail this week, APAC is taking this opportunity to raise public awareness to the urgent need for greater voter participation from the Asian Pacific American community. Our voter education initiative, entitled “Your Voice, Your Vote,” will encourage all Asian Pacific Americans to register to vote and cast their ballot on Election Day.

A new data analysis by the United States Census Bureau and APAC finds that San Diego’s Asian community is in last place for voter registration and voter turnout among all ethnic groups. This is an alarming discovery, which jeopardizes the future of our community. Our participation in the democratic process is necessary in order to secure economic prosperity for our families, and the nation. APAC strongly encourages every San Diegan to register to vote by October 22^nd, and cast their ballots on November 6^th.

FACTS ABOUT SAN DIEGO ASIAN VOTERS

Asians are the fastest growing community in San Diego, rising 24% in the City of San Diego and 39% in San Diego County over the past decade. In the City, Asians grew from 164,895 out of 1,223,400 in 2000 to 209,146 out of 1,301,617 in 2010.[1] In the County, Asians grew from 245,297 out of 2,813,833 in 2000 to 341,562 out of 3,095,313 in 2010.

However, Asians have the lowest voter registration rate and lowest turnout rate of any ethnic group in America.According the United States Census estimates, barely more than half (52%, or 58,376 out of 110,835) of all eligible Asian residents in the City of San Diego are registered voters, compared to 59%-74% for all other ethnic groups nationally. The Bureau also found that in November 2008, less than half (47.6%) of registered Asian voters cast ballots on Election Day, compared to 50%-66% for all other ethnic groups nationally.[2]

Fewer than 1 out of 10 San Diego County voters are Asian. Out of 1,478,740 total registered voters, there are an estimated 99,742 (6.7%) Asian voters. Of these voters, 13,259 are Chinese; 40,989 are Filipino; 7,209 are Japanese; 4,596 are Korean, and 17,362 are Vietnamese.[3]

The majority of Asian voters in San Diego County live in the City of San Diego. Out of 637,009 total registered voters, there are an estimated 58,376 (9.1%) registered Asian voters. Of these, 9,126 are Chinese; 21,068 are Filipino; 3,355 are Japanese; 2,704 are Korean, and 13,050 are Vietnamese.

This is an important election that San Diego Asian residents, and all San Diegans, need to participate in by registering to vote and casting a ballot on Election Day.  Hundreds of candidates will appear on the ballot in San Diego County for local, state and federal races. Additionally, more than forty public school board contests will appear on the ballot. School board elections impact school funding, charter schools, and the quality of education that children receive. Eleven school bond measures will also appear on the ballot. School bonds affect how much residents pay in property taxes each year.

Bilingual poll workers who can speak Chinese, Tagalog or Vietnamese are needed for the November 6^th election.The need for bilingual poll workers is great in neighborhoods that are critical for Asian political empowerment in San Diego, such as Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos, Pomerado, and Clairemont. Poll workers must be US citizens, and registered to vote in the state of California. Poll workers receive a stipend ranging from $75 – 175, depending on their assignment. To apply to become a poll worker, visit www.sdvote.com or call 858-565-5800.

Don’t miss the deadline! The last day to register to vote is October 22^nd. The election will be held on November 6^th. More information on registering to vote can be found online at www.sdvote.com or by calling the Registrar of Voters office, at (858) 565-5800.

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