In this year’s election, the race between the two presidential candidates remains tight, resembling a tense sporting event as the election day draws near, garnering more and more attention. Some individuals are experiencing anxiety, constantly checking polls and relevant news, while others remain calm, waiting for their preferred candidate’s victory and the final outcome to be revealed. Community members are reminding people to pay attention not only to the presidential election but also to local legislators and referendum issues.
Community member Li Shoumin spends his spare time following the news and occasionally filming community updates to share on his YouTube channel. He admits that in recent years, he has deeply felt the security issues brought by new immigrants to New York, which has made him increasingly anxious. He expressed frustration that his hard-earned tax money is being used extensively for immigrants, leading to inflationary pressures. Therefore, he hopes to use his vote to change the current situation and plans to support a conservative candidate this year.
Ms. Chen immigrated to the United States over 20 years ago and previously worked at a bank in a western city in the U.S. She mentioned that she was not initially enthusiastic about the elections, but in past elections, candidates often attracted Chinese-American voters with generous welfare policies. However, she has noticed a shift in views among many Chinese Americans.
This year, her mailbox has been flooded with campaign materials from various candidates. Taking into account the long-term impact, she has decided to cast her vote for the candidate she believes will benefit the Chinese community. As for the final outcome of the winning candidate, she is prepared to patiently wait.
Community analysis suggests that voters not only need to consider the presidential election when casting their ballots, but local elections seem to be more directly related to their practical interests.
Democrat leader Yu Jinshan from the 65th district states, “The presidential election is like a grand drama, and this year’s candidates have all performed admirably, keeping the audience captivated. Regardless of who wins the presidency, we hope that he can smoothly implement policies that benefit the American people, strengthen the nation, uphold international order, and promote democracy and freedom.”
He stressed that while the responsibilities of the president are significant, the impact of locally elected officials on the community’s well-being cannot be underestimated. In the upcoming vote, New York voters will face decisions regarding the re-election or replacement of federal legislators, as well as elections for the state Senate and Assembly.
Additionally, competition intensifies surrounding local referendums on the back of the ballot. Among the six initiatives led by progressives, Proposal 1 concerning transgender rights has sparked widespread controversy. Conservatives believe these proposals are detrimental to Asians and suggest that Chinese voters mark “No” for all of them when casting their votes.