A recent survey highlights that Indian American voters continue to favor the Democratic Party in the upcoming 2024 US presidential election, but their attachment to the party has weakened compared to past years. According to the Indian American Attitude Survey (IAAS), 61% of registered Indian American voters support Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, while 32% lean towards Republican Donald Trump.
The IAAS, published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) and conducted with YouGov, surveyed 714 Indian American citizens from September 18 to October 15, 2024. The results indicate that 47% of Indian Americans currently identify as Democrats, a decline from 56% in 2020. Republican identifiers remain at 21%, but the percentage identifying as Independents has grown to 26%.
The study shows a noticeable gender gap in political preferences within the Indian American community. A higher percentage of Indian American men favor Trump, while women show stronger support for Harris. For instance, 67% of women intend to vote for Harris compared to 53% of men. Among men, particularly younger voters, support for Trump has risen, with 39% expressing plans to vote for him.
With 5.2 million people, Indian Americans represent the second-largest immigrant group in the US, with 2.6 million eligible to vote in 2024. Kamala Harris’s candidacy as a Democrat of Indian heritage further amplifies the community’s political importance this election cycle.
The survey highlights key policy issues for Indian Americans, with abortion and reproductive rights standing out, especially for Democrats and women. Abortion is now the second-most significant issue for Indian Americans after inflation, followed by concerns around the economy and jobs. The survey also reveals Indian Americans’ lukewarm reception toward prominent Indian American Republicans, including Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance. Many Democrats within the community cite Republican stances on minority issues, abortion, and religious conservatism as reasons for not identifying with the GOP.
