VP Kamala Harris credit the AAPI voters with the victory, the press wants a “historic” regulation on electoral rights

By passing the John Lewis Voting Rights ActHarris hopes to support both automatic and same-day voter registration to help those with restricted access to the polls. She noted that without this bill, GOP states will continue to pass laws that disproportionately affect color communities by reducing early voting and closing voting venues.

When Harris spoke of the AAPI community, he attributed their victory to them. According to data analyzed by TargetSmart and released TODAY by USA, the AAPI community increased their turnout by 46% between the 2016 and 2020 elections and was the group with the highest rate of votes via email.

According to Varun Nikore, executive director of the AAPI Victory Alliance, the engagement stems from increasing anti-Asian rhetoric, particularly from the previous administration. While hate crimes against the AAPI community are not new in American history, the spikes can be traced back to the beginning of the pandemic last year. COVID-19 misinformation and the use of xenophobic languages ​​such as “Chinese Virus”, “Wuhan Virus” and “Kung Flu” have been linked to a rapid rise in hate crimes across the country.

“This likely cemented a permanent change within the AAPI community that will continue for a while. Yet we can see voter turnout flattening in future elections for AAPIs unless investment continues to be made in the AAPI community. We have to keep them engaged, ”Nikore told USA TODAY.

Wednesday’s event follows the passing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act on Tuesday, a bill designed to combat the surge in hate crimes against the AAPI community amid the pandemic. Anti-Asian crimes were at an all time high as well The number of hate crimes rose 50% from 3,795 cases reported between March and December 2020 to 6,603 between January and March 2021, Daily Kos reported.

The bill is now on its way to Joe Biden, and Harris said the president “Will soon be signing this historic bill.” The bill is the government’s most concrete response to anti-Asian bias.

“I know the past year has been in pain for so many, including and especially members of the Asian-American community, so much pain,” said Harris. “As a member of this community, I share this outrage and sadness. And I believe we now have an opportunity to put that pain into action. ”

She not only highlighted the importance of hate crime legislation, but also the importance of making voting “easier, not harder”.

“While we must be vigilant in defending the current voting rights, we must do so too and work to expand the voting rights of all Americans,” Harris said. “That includes asking Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and asking the Senate to pass the For the People Act.”

In recent years, along with an increase in hate crimes, color communities have also been targeted in several states, including those that affect voting and participation in protests. Harris’ address gives hope that change is on the way.