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GOTV Aims to Boost Already High Arab American Turnout

Posted on Thursday October 31, 2002

Five days before national elections, Arab Americans are making the final push to ensure a high voter turnout among community members. Because many of the key races that could determine control of the House and Senate and critical gubernatorial races are in states with significant Arab American populations, community members are working hard to ensure that Arab Americans make their voices heard on Tuesday.

Significant Arab American get out the vote (GOTV) efforts are underway in Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, California, New Jersey, Florida and Texas. Activities range from posting signs, flyers and public service announcements featuring the “Yalla Vote” bilingual logo (‘Yalla’ means ‘come on’ in Arabic) to phone banking. In areas where local communities have endorsed specific candidates, Arab Americans are volunteering for door-to-door canvassing and phone banking as well as signing up to work the polls on Election Day.

If the low voter turnout during the midterm primary (18.2%—the second lowest in history) is any indication of Election Day turnout, Arab Americans are positioned to have a significant impact in key races. The national Arab American registered voter database shows that Arab American voters are well represented in 55 congressional districts across the United States, making up between 1.5% and 4.5% of the total voting population. For many years, Arab Americans have demonstrated a high degree of political activity. Americans of Arab descent vote in greater percentages (62% in 1996) and according to a 2000 Zogby International poll, 88.7% of Arab Americans are registered to vote. Only African Americans and Jewish Americans have a higher percentage of voter registration.

“Once again Arab Americans are demonstrating that they are not only a reliable voter group, but they will work for candidates who are open to our communities’ concerns. Despite the efforts by a few candidates who engaged in “Arab-baiting”, our community remains true to American democracy and will continue to fight for our place at the table of American politics. On Election Day, Arab Americans will make themselves heard at the voting booth,” said Arab American Institute Managing Director Jean AbiNader.

Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.