Asian-Americans are Georgia's fastest growing voter demographic, and Democratic campaigners believe they can make a difference in converting Georgia into a blue state. Kannan Udayarajan, chairperson of the Forsyth County Democrats, is one of those new voters, who joined politics over the mispronunciation of 'Kamala' in 2020.

Forsyth County

Donald Trump is preparing to take office after defeating Kamala Harris in the U.S. Presidential election.

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Asian-American voters are emerging as a significant force in Georgia's political landscape. According to Sanjui Kumar and volunteers of "South Asians for Harris," though the community constitutes only 4% of the state's population, their numbers in certain counties are substantial enough to influence election outcomes. Asian Americans represent one of the fastest-growing voter demographics in Georgia, making them a critical component in Kamala Harris's strategy in a highly competitive race.

In the previous presidential election, Joe Biden narrowly defeated Donald Trump in Georgia by 11,779 votes out of 5 million cast. This victory margin is smaller than the count of Asian American voters in several surrounding counties such as Gwinnett and Forsyth. Over the past four years, demographic shifts in these areas have continued to transform the electoral landscape. Kanan Udayarajan, who now leads the Democratic Party in Forsyth County, was motivated to engage in politics following derogatory mispronunciations of Kamala Harris's name at a Trump rally by Republican Senator David Perdue.

Despite Forsyth County's strong Republican leanings, Democrats are making strides by fielding candidates across all levels, including Ashwin Ramaswamy who is running for a statehouse seat. Kamala Harris, who could become the first Black and South Asian woman elected president, places significant emphasis on her Indian American heritage. James Woo, a voter registration advocate, highlighted the community's diverse political views shaped by their varied national origins and economic concerns.

While the Democratic Party is noted for its outreach efforts to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, the GOP's presence appears less visible, with the closing of a GOP-affiliated Asian American community center in favor of an adult novelty store. Efforts by both political parties continue to intensify as early voting approaches in Georgia, given the tight margins that underscore the importance of every single vote.



Asian-Americans believe they can change how Georgia votes

South Asians for Harris. Sanjui Kumar and volunteers are calling a small, yet potentially powerful set of Georgia voters. Our community is not that big. It's 4% of the state's population, but it's in some counties, you know, it's 122,000, it's 60,000, it's, you know, it's enough to absolutely make a difference. Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing segments of the electorate. Here in Georgia, the voters are a critical piece of Kamala Harris's game plan, in a razor-thin race against Donald Trump. There's a baked-in Republican red bent to this state, but it's been changing. It's been changing for many years now. In Georgia, President Biden defeated Trump by 11,779 votes out of 5 million cast. That margin is smaller than the number of Asian American voters surrounding Atlanta, ranging from Gwinnett County at more than 65,000 to Forsyth County at more than 14,000. Four years have passed since then. The demographics of the county has shifted considerably since then. Kanan Uday Rajan leads the Democratic Party in Forsyth County. He was driven to become politically active after Republican Senator David Perdue said this four years ago at a Trump rally. Kamala or Kamala, Kamala, Kamala, Kamala, Kamala. I don't know. Whatever! I saw some people rationalizing that mispronunciation, and I felt that there was a need to stand up, to speak up, because we should not be normalizing this kind of behavior. Forsyth is deep red, a county Trump carried by more than 30 points. But for the first time, Democrats are fielding candidates up and down the ballot, like Ashwin Ramaswamy, who's running for a statehouse seat. It's not a question of if Georgia will become blue. It's a question of when. Harris, who would be the first Black and South Asian woman elected president, is leaning into her Indian American roots. My mother was a brilliant, five-foot-tall brown woman with an accent. James Woo, who helps register Georgia voters across political lines, said Asian Americans here hail from more than 20 national origins, each with their own view of politics. He said there may be less allegiance to a political party, yet backgrounds help inform votes. A lot of them are small business owners. They are, you know, working, like, seven days a week at mom-and-pop shops. So, economy really impacts them directly. From churches to businesses to campaign signs, the diversity of Atlanta's suburbs come alive with the potential for Democrats and Republicans. I've definitely seen Democrat Party do, you know, AAPI-specific outreach and events. From Trump campaign, I haven't seen as much. A GOP Asian American community center that opened here in 2021 is now closed, replaced by an adult novelty store. With early voting just two weeks away in Georgia, both sides are investing millions here. And the sheer math of it all shows that every vote really does count. Honestly. I mean, everyone's familiar with the famous 11,000-whatever votes. You could not make a better point for every vote counts than in Georgia.

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