For
example, a super PAC cannot say they specifically support Donald Trump and
their funds go directly in Mr. Trump’s pockets, but with the super PAC’s own
funds it can run ads that are favorable to Mr. Trump or negative ads that go
against competing candidates e.g. Ben Carson or Ted Cruz. It is no surprise that super PACs are as
controversial as they are popular, with super PAC’s currently raising millions
(sometimes even hundreds of millions), during election season and providing a
monetary backbone for candidates.
Moreover, although super PACs are required to release the names of
donors, many PACs avoid disclosure through affiliated nonprofit organizations
that are not required to release names of donors and many donors can remain
unidentified for months.
The
APPI Victory Fund is an original type of super PAC because its focuses
specifically on voter turnout and civic engagement of the APPI community. As the website states, the AAPI Victory Fund’s
ultimate goals are to have “a position of influence for the 2016 Presidential
candidates,” to “mobilize a broad population … [to show] AAPI force not just in
numbers, but also in its leverage on the issues that impact and matter to us.” This fund will hopefully combat the
surprisingly low number of registered AAPI voters turning out to vote
(currently more than one-third of registered AAPI voters do not turn out). This super PAC is designed to provide a
movement toward political advocacy for the over 18 million AAPI persons in the
United States.
In the
current 2016 election cycle, with immigration issues taking center stage in
many political debates, AAPI voters have an opportunity to have their voices
heard nationwide and potentially could be seen as a community that should be
focused on more politically. Hillary
Clinton’s campaign is one of the few candidates who see the advantages of
obtaining the AAPI vote, with recent functions specifically tailored to obtain
AAPI voters, the now fastest-growing racial group in the nation. As recent as January of 2016, Clinton has
made speeches to try and appeal to Asian voters through immigration reform
(specifically to shorten wait times for those seeking visas). She has also aligned herself with Democratic
Asian Representatives such as Judy Chu, the chairwoman of the Congressional
Asian Pacific American Caucus and has been vocal about her past ties and
experiences in the Philippines.
Although
nothing is guaranteed when the time to vote comes, the potential AAPI vote with
the help of super PACs like the AAPI Victory Fund could prove fruitful for AAPI
persons nation-wide. Now is the time for
the AAPI to take advantage of its voting power and to not be silent in the next
election.*
For more on the AAPI Victory Fund, or to donate to the APPI Victory Fund, visit their website: http://www.aapivictoryfund.com/.
* Please note there is no political affiliation associated with this post.
For more on the AAPI Victory Fund, or to donate to the APPI Victory Fund, visit their website: http://www.aapivictoryfund.com/.
* Please note there is no political affiliation associated with this post.
** This Blog/Web Site is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.