At least 25 per cent of South Asian Americans who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election plan to support Democratic candidates in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, according to a survey conducted by advocacy group Indian American Impact. The findings indicate that some voters who backed Trump two years ago may be considering a different choice in congressional races. However, the survey also found that 67 per cent of South Asian American respondents who voted for Trump in 2024 continued to favour Republican candidates, suggesting that support for the Republican Party remains substantial among this group. The results come as candidates prepare for closely contested elections that will determine control of the US Congress.

The survey covered 800 registered South Asian American voters, of whom 87 per cent were Indian Americans. The remaining respondents included people of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Bhutanese, Maldivian, Afghan, Khmer and Burmese backgrounds. Among those who voted for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024, 96 per cent said they intended to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterms. The findings suggest that voters who backed Harris remain strongly aligned with the Democratic Party, while the preferences of those who supported Trump show some variation. The survey did not indicate that all respondents who previously voted Republican were changing their political preferences.

Economic concerns emerged as the leading consideration for respondents ahead of the midterm elections. Cost of living was identified as a key issue by 65 per cent of those surveyed, followed by healthcare at 53 per cent, jobs and wages at 33 per cent, and education at 28 per cent. These concerns come as household expenses, access to medical services and employment conditions remain important issues in American politics. The findings suggest that voters’ decisions may be influenced by domestic economic priorities alongside their views on immigration, discrimination and other policy matters. The survey figures reflect respondents’ stated concerns and intended voting preferences rather than final election outcomes.

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The survey also highlighted concerns about discrimination among South Asian Americans. Around 90 per cent of respondents said they had experienced discrimination or knew someone who had, while 48 per cent reported experiencing it personally. The findings indicate that experiences of prejudice and perceptions of racial treatment remain significant concerns for many voters in the community. Vasant Bhatt, a 21-year-old second-generation Indian American who had interned on Senator Ted Cruz’s election campaign in 2024, said he had voted for Democratic candidate James Talarico in Texas. In a social media post, Bhatt cited concerns about xenophobia, racial resentment and attacks on his identity. His account provided an individual example of the political choices being discussed in the survey, but does not establish a broader trend on its own.

The findings come as early voting gets underway in several states, including Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is contesting Republican Ken Paxton, who has Trump’s support. The survey also pointed to the potential electoral importance of South Asian American voters in closely contested states. Michigan has approximately 187,000 South Asian residents, while nearly 30,000 registered South Asian voters did not vote in the 2022 midterm elections. That figure exceeds the roughly 19,000 votes that determined the state's 2024 Senate race. Texas, meanwhile, has more than 700,000 South Asian residents, and nearly 100,000 registered South Asian voters did not participate in the 2022 midterms.

Beyond party preference, the survey found that 78 per cent of respondents believed their vote could bring about change, while 79 per cent felt elected officials quickly lost touch with ordinary people. Another 67 per cent said public officials did not care about the views of people like them, and 43 per cent felt they had little say in government decisions. The findings point to a combination of political engagement and dissatisfaction with elected representatives among those surveyed. With South Asian American communities concentrated in states including Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and Texas, their participation could matter in closely fought contests. The extent of their influence will depend on turnout, individual races and how voters ultimately cast their ballots on November 3.

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