With the Nov. 3 midterm elections approaching, new research highlights the role of community journalism and trusted local organizations in helping Asian American and Pacific Islander voters access election information.
The 2026 AAPI Voter Survey, released by APIAVote and AAPI Data, found that 50% of respondents identified community journalists as trusted sources of information. Family and friends ranked highest at 62%, followed by academic experts at 60%.
The findings were discussed during an Oct. 16 national news briefing hosted by American Community Media, where researchers and civic engagement leaders examined voter participation, outreach and barriers to voting.
According to the survey, 90% of registered AAPI voters said they planned to vote in the midterms, although 71% said they were absolutely certain they would participate.
Researchers also found significant gaps in political outreach. Forty-two percent of respondents reported no contact from the Democratic Party, while 58% reported no contact from the Republican Party.
Why language access matters
Asian American and Pacific Islander communities represent different ethnicities, languages, immigration histories and political experiences.
The survey found that 78% of respondents primarily consumed news in English, while 16% used both English and another language and 6% primarily consumed news in another language.
Among foreign-born respondents, 23% consumed news in both English and another language.
Christine Chen, executive director of APIAVote, told briefing participants that changes to voting procedures can create confusion, including among people who have voted in previous elections.
She emphasized the importance of providing voters with accurate information about registration, identification requirements, polling locations and voting options.
What journalists can do
The findings provide useful considerations for newsrooms covering elections in multilingual and underserved communities.
Journalists can help readers navigate election procedures by:
- Confirming voting dates, polling locations and identification requirements with official election authorities.
- Explaining changes to voting procedures clearly and identifying which voters are affected.
- Providing translated election information when newsroom resources and community needs support it.
- Distinguishing verified information from unconfirmed claims circulating online.
- Linking readers directly to official election resources.
The survey also found that AAPI voters use a range of news platforms. Television was the most commonly reported source at 47%, followed by YouTube at 43%. Newspapers, news websites and Facebook each reached 35% of respondents.
Those findings underscore the importance of making accurate election information available across different platforms.
Where voters can find reliable information
For the Nov. 3 election, voters should confirm requirements and deadlines with their state or local election office.
Texas voters can use the Texas Secretary of State’s voter information website to check registration status, identification requirements and polling information.
In Texas, early voting runs through Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Voters outside Texas can locate their election office through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
The survey findings offer a timely reminder for journalists: Election coverage is not limited to reporting on candidates and campaigns. It also includes providing the verified, accessible information people need to understand the voting process.