US (Washington Insider Magazine) – On a vibrant October evening in New York City, Indian-American leaders, tech executives, and Bollywood celebrities gathered at The Pierre to celebrate Diwali. Yet, beyond the glittering outfits and festivities, the community buzzed with excitement over a historic political milestone—Kamala Harris becoming the first U.S. presidential candidate of South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket.
A Historic Moment for Indian-American Voters
“This time around is so unique because we actually have someone we can relate to,” said Jessel Taank, the first Indian cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City.
Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code and the first Indian-American woman to run for U.S. Congress, echoed this sentiment:
“You cannot be what you cannot see.”
With Indian Americans expanding beyond their traditional strongholds in California and New York to key battleground states like Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, their political influence is stronger than ever.
Indian-American Voter Turnout on the Rise
Indian Americans have demonstrated a growing commitment to electoral participation. According to AAPI Data, they had the highest voter turnout among Asian Americans in the last two presidential elections.
✅ 71% of eligible Indian Americans voted in 2020 – a 9% increase from 2016
✅ Turnout is expected to rise to 75% in 2024, according to political analysts
Harris vs. Trump: Competing for the Indian-American Vote
Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are actively courting Indian-American voters, who form the largest and most politically engaged segment of the Asian-American electorate.
🔹 Democratic Leaning: A 2024 AAPI Data survey found 55% of Indian Americans identify as Democrats, though this number has slightly declined since 2020.
🔹 Shifting Republican Support: A Carnegie Endowment survey shows 61% of Indian-American voters plan to support Harris, while 32% back Trump—a modest Republican gain, particularly among younger Indian-American men.
Key Issues Driving Indian-American Voters
1️⃣ Reproductive Rights: Many Indian-American women cite abortion rights as a top issue influencing their support for Harris.
2️⃣ U.S.-India Relations: Some Republicans argue that Trump built stronger ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which could sway Hindu nationalist voters.
3️⃣ Immigration Policies: While some favor Trump’s stricter immigration stance, others feel Harris and Biden’s policies align better with the immigrant experience.
The South Asian Vote Could Tip the Election
With Indian Americans forming a decisive voter base in swing states, their preferences could determine the 2024 presidential outcome.
“The fact that the South Asian population leans towards Harris and has high voter turnout could be enough to tip the scales,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, co-founder of AAPI Data.
As the election nears, the political clout of Indian-American voters is more evident than ever, reinforcing their role as a pivotal force in shaping U.S. politics.