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AAI Primary/Caucus GOTV Reaches Tens of Thousands of Arab American Voters

Posted on Monday March 8, 2004

Washington – On the eve of the March 9 primary and with the Democratic presidential nomination virtually secured by Senator John Kerry, the Arab American Institute outlined its get out the vote (GOTV) activities for the 2004 accelerated presidential primary and caucus season.

In less than two months (Jan. 5-March 2), focusing on nine states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, Virginia, California, New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland) with Arab American concentrations, AAI efforts ensured direct contact with tens of thousands of Arab American voters.

Rallies and meetings focusing on voter turnout were held in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Massachusetts, California and New York. In each of the nine states targeted, Arab American voters received GOTV mailers and/or emails.

AAI also sponsored four delegate trainings and volunteers organized phone banks in Michigan, Virginia and Iowa. (Delegate trainings will continue until the national conventions this summer.) Nationally, hundreds of Arab American volunteers worked as precinct captains, helped at polling places or on a campaign.

“Once the parties decided to go with an accelerated primary season, we knew we would have to work that much harder to make our voices heard. In less than two months, we raised our issues and made our presence felt. But we aren’t stopping here. Although it looks like Kerry will soon have the delegates needed for the Democratic nomination, we are working to make our presence felt in states like Florida, Texas and Illinois,” said AAI President James Zogby. “We will continue to fight and raise our issues through the state conventions, onto the floor of the national conventions and finally on Election Day.”

AAI is continuing its GOTV work throughout the primary season as many upcoming contests include important federal, state and local races as well as ballot initiatives. “We want to be sure that Arab Americans are vocal at every level of the political process,” AAI National Field Director Abdullah Al-Zuabi said. AAI is also planning a series of events for the national conventions in Boston and New York designed to educate delegates and attendees about Arab American concerns.