FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 6/14/2024

Contact:

K’gnausa Yodkerepauprai, Project Manager

Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)

Phone: (206) 370-9554

Email: K’gnausa.Yodkerepauprai@capaa.wa.gov

CAPAA and KAYA strategik, LLC Partner to Develop Density Map Data Visualization of A/NH/PI Eligible Voter Populations in Washington State

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) is pleased to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with KAYA strategik, LLC, an equitable strategy, implementation, data, and community engagement WMBE consulting firm. This partnership has led to the development of two comprehensive density map data visualizations of Asian eligible voter populations and Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) eligible voter populations in Washington State.

WA Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Eligible Voter Estimates Density Map

WA Asian American Eligible Voter Estimates Density Map

The research analysis utilized racial and ethnic groups alone or in combination (AIC) to ensure the inclusion of mixed-race individuals, fully reflecting the diversity of Washington’s A/NH/PI communities.

Key findings from the analysis include:

• Filipinos (~114,000) are the largest Asian ethnic group of eligible voters in Washington, followed by Chinese, except Taiwanese (~98,000), Vietnamese (~63,000), Korean (~60,000), and Japanese (~57,000) communities.
• In King County, Chinese, except Taiwanese communities are the largest Asian ethnic group (~68,000) of eligible voters, followed by Filipino (~50,000), Vietnamese (~36,000), and Asian Indian (~29,000) communities.
• Kitsap, Spokane, and Whatcom counties are also home to significant Asian eligible voter populations.

For Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities:

• Native Hawaiians (~18,400) are the largest NH/PI ethnic group of eligible voters in Washington, followed by Samoans (~14,200), Guamanian or Chamorros (~13,800), Fijians (~1,400), and Tongans (~1,000).
• King and Pierce counties are home to the largest NH/PI AIC eligible voters. King County’s potential NH/PI eligible voters include approximately 6,500 Samoans, 5,400 Native Hawaiians, 2,300 Guamanians or Chamorros, 500 Fijians, and 300 Tongans. Pierce County’s potential NH/PI eligible voter population includes approximately 4,200 Samoans, 4,200 Guamanian or Chamorro, and 3,500 Native Hawaiian communities.

Other notable statistics:

• Over 1,700 Guamanian or Chamorro eligible voters live in Snohomish County, with nearly 1,400 in Kitsap County and over 1,100 in Thurston County.
• Snohomish County hosts over 2,500 Native Hawaiians, with almost 1,200 Native Hawaiian eligible voters living in Clark County, and over 1,100 in Thurston County.

The counties with the largest NH/PI AIC eligible voting populations are:

• King County (17,176)
• Pierce County (13,519)
• Snohomish County (6,220)
• Clark County (3,514)
• Thurston County (3,064)

These counties also have the largest NH/PI populations (both NH/PI only and NHPI AIC), highlighting opportunities for naturalized citizenship in addition to voter education and registration.

The counties with the largest Asian AIC eligible voting populations are:

• King County (254,657)
• Snohomish County (62,449)
• Pierce County (56,138)
• Clark County (20,594)
• Thurston County (14,875)

These counties also have the largest Asian populations (both Asian only and Asian AIC), indicating significant opportunities for naturalized citizenship and enhanced voter education and registration efforts.

Two ACS datasets were utilized to provide the most extensive information, ensuring a robust and accurate analysis.

1) ACS 2022 5-Year estimates Citizen Voting Age Population Special Tabulation and

2) ACS 2021 5-Year estimates Selected Population Detailed Table B05003 Sex by Age by Nativity and Citizenship Status"

About CAPAA: The Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) was established by the state legislature in 1974. CAPAA's mission is to improve the well-being of Washington’s Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders communities by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, and other areas.

About KAYA strategik, LLC: KAYA strategik, LLC is a national WMBE consulting firm specializing in equitable strategy, implementation, data, and community engagement.  Meaning “capacity” in Filipino Tagalog - KAYA supports client and community capacity to operationalize equitable policies, systems and practices.  KAYA’s talented BIPOC team represent combined decades experience managing race and social justice initiatives with BIPOC, refugee and immigrant communities.

For more information, please contact K’gnausa Yodkerepauprai (Contact info above).