Why Indian-American voters are in focus ahead of US midterm elections

The upcoming US midterm elections are seen as a crucial gauge for President Donald Trump's Republican administration, with early indications suggesting Democrats could gain significant ground among voters. Among these voters is the 5.2 million-strong Indian diaspora, who are expected to have a notable impact on the results. A recent national survey predicts strong support from Indian voters for Democratic candidates, particularly on key issues.

India is home to around 5.2 million Indian-Americans, of whom 3.9 million are 18 or older, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Additionally, there are approximately 2.6 million eligible Indian-American voters in the United States. The community's growing numbers and higher socioeconomic status have drawn increased attention to their potential influence on the election.

The current US House of Representatives, facing November 3 polls, includes six members of Indian descent. However, this number is likely to decrease to four after Shri Thanedar from Michigan and Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois lost their respective primaries. Outgoing congressional candidates of Indian origin include Pramila Jayapal (Washington-7), Ami Bera (California-3), Ro Khanna (California-17), and Suhas Subramanyam (Virginia-10).

The US midterm elections occur two years into a president's term, determining the composition of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. These elections also cover state legislatures and local offices such as mayors. A recent AAPI survey reveals that 66% of Indian-American voters are supporting Democratic candidates in the Senate race. Key concerns among Indian-American voters include the cost of living and inflation, followed by employment, unemployment, and Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Indian-Americans reside in numerous states across the US, notably New Jersey, New York, California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Washington. In battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan, where every percentage point can sway the outcome, even a small Indian-American voter turnout could play a crucial role in deciding the election results.