This week, LWVUS elections staff were pleased to attend a new poll briefing pinpointing the important role Asian American voters will play in the 2012 elections. Sponsored by Lake Research, Asian American Justice Center, APIA Vote, and the Asian American Institute, the new national survey found key opportunities for candidates on both sides of aisle to court Asian voters this year.

We are all aware that the huge amount of special interest money, particularly in federal races, has been a problem for years. We also know that these problems have been magnified by the Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case which unleashed corporate spending for supposedly independent campaign expenditures and which has resulted in millions and millions of dollars in secret contributions.