Indian American Voters in 2024: Priorities and Voting Trends | Data

Overview of the Indian American Electorate

Indian Americans – over 5.2 million people of Indian origin in the U.S. (about 2.6 million eligible voters) – have emerged as an influential voting bloc. They are the second-largest immigrant group and are considered "high-propensity" voters, with turnout rates as high as 96% among registered voters. Historically, Indian Americans have leaned strongly Democratic (around 3 in 4 supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020). In 2024 the community again largely backed the Democratic ticket – which notably included Kamala Harris, the first Indian American on a major-party presidential ticket – but with some shifting loyalties and new patterns compared to previous elections. Close attention has been paid to this group due to its rapid growth (50% increase from 2010 to 2020) and concentration in swing states.

Key context: Despite Harris's historic candidacy, Indian American support for Democrats dipped slightly in 2024, and a visible gender and generational gap opened up in their voting preferences. Below, we analyze the top issues that animate Indian American voters, their party alignment, demographic differences (age and region), recent shifts, and how their trends compare with broader Asian American voters.

Top Issues and Voting Priorities for Indian Americans

Indian American voters tend to prioritize a range of "bread-and-butter" issues rather than voting on a single concern. Surveys show that in 2024 their top concerns were the economy (inflation, jobs), healthcare, and social issues like abortion – indicating a holistic view of policy. In a Carnegie survey ahead of the 2024 election, respondents were asked to name their most important voting issue. The economy dominated, but not to the exclusion of other issues:

Economic concerns were foremost: 17% ranked inflation / rising prices as their #1 issue, and another 13% cited jobs and the economy. (In 2020, too, economic issues were top concerns, partly due to the pandemic's impact.)
Social and health issues followed closely. Abortion rights were the top issue for 13% of Indian American voters – reflecting the salience of reproductive rights after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Healthcare was named by 9%.
Immigration policy was the #1 concern for about 10%, and around 8% chose climate change and the environment as their top issue. Other issues like civil liberties, crime, and taxes/government spending were lower on the list (each under 7%).
Notably, foreign policy and U.S.-India relations were not top-tier issues for most. Only ~4–5% of respondents said U.S.-India relations or national security was their most important issue. While many Indian Americans do follow U.S.-India ties closely, these did not usually decide their vote – in part because both parties are seen as friendly to India, removing it as a differentiating "single issue" at the ballot box.

Figure: Top issues ranked as the single most important by Indian American voters in 2024. Economic anxieties (inflation and jobs) top the list, followed by abortion, immigration, and healthcare (Data source: 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey).

Overall, this data suggests Indian Americans are not typically single-issue voters; they think holistically about a mix of economic stability, health, and rights. Even hot-button identity or foreign policy topics have not overridden domestic concerns for most voters. For example, community leaders note that "bread-and-butter issues that impact day-to-day lives" generally drive Indian American voting behavior. One Indian American commentator explained that voters care less about symbolic identity appeals and more about whether a candidate "can do the job" and deliver on issues like the economy, healthcare, immigration, and women's rights. This was borne out in 2024 – despite pride in Harris's heritage, most in the community evaluated her and Donald Trump on policy positions and performance rather than ethnicity. For instance, abortion access emerged as a major motivating issue, especially for Indian American women and Democrats, many of whom viewed the Democrats as better aligned with their stance on reproductive rights.

There are some differences within the community: Democratic-leaning Indian Americans in the survey were especially likely to prioritize abortion and climate change, whereas Republican-leaning Indian Americans put even heavier emphasis on the economy and were somewhat more concerned with foreign policy (e.g. a small fraction cited U.S.-India relations or national security as top issues). But across the board, kitchen-table economic issues and health/safety issues dominate. A prominent diaspora organization leader summed up Indian Americans' 2024 demands as "a robust economy, safety and security of citizens, fixing the southern border crisis, and thriving relations with India" – indicating interest in both domestic prosperity and a secure environment. In short, the Indian American electorate is issue-driven and multifaceted. Unlike some voting blocs that may be swayed by a single overriding issue, Indian Americans weigh multiple factors – economic well-being, social justice, immigration policy, and more – when making their electoral choices.

Party Alignment and Voting Behavior in 2024

Politically, Indian Americans remain a Democratic-leaning constituency, but the margin has narrowed. In the 2024 cycle, surveys and polls showed roughly 60% of Indian American voters intending to support the Democratic presidential candidate (Kamala Harris) versus about 30% for the Republican (Donald Trump). This is still a clear majority for the Democrats, yet it represents a smaller advantage than in recent elections. For comparison, in 2020 about 68–72% of Indian Americans were backing Joe Biden, vs ~22% for Trump. And looking back to 2016 and 2012, analyses suggest around 3 in 4 Indian Americans voted Democratic. Thus, 2024 saw a modest but notable shift: roughly one-third of Indian Americans leaned toward Trump and the GOP, higher than the ~1 in 5 share in prior cycles.

Party identification data confirms this trend. According to the 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey (IAAS), 57% of Indian Americans identified with or leaned toward the Democratic Party, down from 66% in 2020, while about 27% identified with or leaned Republican, up from 18% in 2020. (The remaining are independents with no lean or unsure.) In terms of straightforward self-identification, 47% called themselves Democrats (down from 56% in 2020) and 21% Republicans (roughly unchanged from 21% in 2020), with a growing chunk (26%) identifying as independents.

Despite this Republican uptick, Indian Americans overall continued to favor Democrats in 2024. About six in ten Indian American registered voters chose Harris, and they also leaned Democratic in congressional races. The Democratic Party's "brand" advantage persisted, thanks in part to long-standing community ties to Democratic policies (on immigration, civil rights, etc.). Indeed, Indian Americans as a group still identify as predominantly liberal or center-left in ideology – 55% self-described as liberal in 2024, up from 47% in 2020. This leftward ideological bent might seem at odds with the small rightward shift in party preference; analysts suggest it may reflect dissatisfaction with specific candidates or parties rather than a wholesale conservative turn. For example, some Indian American voters expressed disappointment with the choices or felt Democrats took their vote for granted, even if they still held mostly progressive views.

Why do most Indian Americans vote Democratic? Policy alignment and values appear to be the deciding factors. Surveys indicate that Indian Americans often view the modern GOP as out-of-step with their community's values on pluralism and inclusion. When Indian American Democrats in one poll were asked why they don't support the Republican Party, the top reasons were the GOP's "intolerance of minorities," its hardline stance on abortion, and its close ties to Christian evangelicalism. In other words, many feel the Republican platform is too hostile to immigrants and minority groups and too conservative on social issues. These concerns have kept a majority of Indian Americans in the Democratic camp. As one observer noted, "the current political climate makes it hard [for Indian Americans] to go Republican" – GOP rhetoric on issues like immigration or race can alienate a community that values diversity and openness.

At the same time, Republicans have actively courted Indian Americans in recent years, and some in the community have been receptive. Donald Trump made high-profile overtures to Indian American voters – from rallies with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to praising India at campaign events. This resonated with a subset of voters, particularly those who admire Modi's leadership or hold more conservative views. For example, Trump's close relationship with Modi and tough talk on security earned him fans among Hindu nationalist-leaning Indian Americans, including some who worry that a Democrat like Harris might not prioritize U.S.-India relations as strongly. Republican groups like the "Hindu Coalition" have highlighted shared values with the BJP/Hindu-nationalist movement in India, hoping to translate that into votes for the GOP in the U.S.. Additionally, pocketbook issues and taxes motivate some affluent Indian American professionals to lean Republican, as do concerns about affirmative action or crime in a few cases (mirroring trends in other demographics).

The net effect in 2024 was a small but historic shift: Indian American support for the GOP ticked up, and particularly young, U.S.-born Indian American men swung toward Trump (more on that below). Still, the Democrats retained roughly a 2-to-1 advantage in this community. It's telling that even with Harris – an Indian/Jamaican American – atop the Democratic ticket, the community's vote split did not simply follow ethnic pride. Many Indian Americans were excited by Harris's heritage, yet they judged her on performance and policy. Some voters voiced disappointment that Harris hadn't engaged more with the Indian American community or assumed she would automatically earn their vote. For example, a New Jersey Indian American Republican leader argued, "Trump really made a lot of effort with the [India] relationship… Kamala Harris – I don't even think she's ever even [visited, engaged, etc.]". This suggests that representational politics alone wasn't decisive – Indian Americans expected candidates to address their interests. Indeed, a Michigan Indian American voter cited Harris's strong support for reproductive rights and character as reasons she backs Harris, while another voter emphasized Trump's tough stance on illegal immigration as swaying him, despite Trump's tariffs having hurt his business. These anecdotes underscore that the community's votes had to be earned on issues and outreach, not assumed by ethnicity.

In summary, Indian Americans in 2024 remained largely Democratic voters, but not monolithically so. Approximately 1 in 3 sided with the Republican incumbent, reflecting incremental GOP gains. The community's vote is increasingly "up for grabs" compared to past decades, yet Democrats still benefit from a strong base due to perceived alignment on tolerance, immigration, and social policies. Republicans have made inroads by emphasizing shared interests (business friendliness, U.S.-India friendship, cultural conservatism) with segments of this diverse group. The result is a more competitive fight for Indian American votes than in previous elections, though the Democratic Party continues to be the default choice for a majority.

Demographic Differences: Generations, Gender, and Region

The Indian American community is diverse, and voting patterns in 2024 varied notably by age, gender, and geography. Below we break down key differences between younger vs. older voters and regional groups within the Indian American electorate.

Generational and Age Gaps

One of the starkest findings of 2024 was the emergence of a generation-driven gender gap. Overall, Indian American women remained more Democratic than men (67% of women vs. 53% of men planned to vote for Harris). But this gap was most pronounced among younger voters:

Among Indian Americans under 40, Harris had support from ~60% of women, whereas young Indian American men were split almost 50/50 – roughly equal proportions backing Harris and Trump. In other words, young men of Indian origin were far more likely to support Trump than older men or any women in the community.
In contrast, in the over-40 cohort, both genders leaned more Democratic. Over 70% of women above 40 and about 60% of men above 40 favored Harris. The gender gap was smaller among older voters, and both older men and women were solidly Democratic-leaning (though women still more so).

This age split means older Indian Americans (especially first-generation immigrants) are currently the backbone of the community's Democratic tilt. About 70% of voters age 50+ chose Harris, compared to ~55–56% of those in their 20s and 30s. Meanwhile, support for Trump was highest among those under 50 (about 35% in the 18–29 and 30–49 groups, versus only ~23% among 50+ voters). Notably, this is a reverse of the national trend – in the U.S. overall, younger voters lean more left and older voters skew right, but among Indian Americans the younger generation is relatively more conservative. Researchers suggest this could be because many older Indian Americans are immigrants who view politics through a minority-rights lens (sticking with the party seen as pro-immigrant and anti-racism), whereas U.S.-born Indian Americans (especially men) may feel more culturally assimilated and respond to the same forces shaping young white or Hispanic men (such as populist or anti-"woke" messaging). As the Carnegie analysts put it, "younger Indian American men appear more open to Trump and more skeptical of Harris; it is older Indian Americans who are rallying behind [the Democrats] in the greatest numbers."

Closely tied to age is nativity: there is a growing split between immigrant vs. U.S.-born Indian Americans. In 2024, naturalized Indian American citizens were much more Democratic (67% for Harris) whereas U.S.-born Indian Americans showed only 53% for Harris, with a significant 39% supporting Trump. Four years prior, such a nativity gap was minimal – support for Trump was equally low (~22%) among both foreign-born and U.S.-born Indian Americans in 2020. By 2024, however, the American-born segment had shifted rightward significantly. Analysts note this might reflect the fact that ethnic identity is a stronger voting cue for immigrants, while second-generation voters feel more like other Americans and thus split more on gender and ideology rather than ethnicity. Indeed, the young Indian American male Republican has become a visible phenomenon, driving much of the community's small drift toward the GOP. Many of these voters came of age in an era of polarized U.S. politics and may be influenced by online conservative figures or a perception that Democrats are too "left" on issues like policing or culture. Community observers have noticed this trend, with one survey finding that "young, American-born men are driving this shift towards Donald Trump."

It's important to stress that older Indian Americans remain overwhelmingly Democratic. Many first-generation immigrants recall the Democrats as the party championing civil rights and immigration reform, and they also formed strong loyalty during the Trump era when anti-immigrant rhetoric was high. In 2024, this manifested in senior Indian Americans being Harris's strongest supporters, while younger cohorts were a bit more divided. The interplay of age, gender, and nativity will be key to watch in future elections: as more U.S.-born Indian Americans enter the electorate, the community's Democratic tilt cannot be taken for granted. Conversely, the fact that women of all ages and older voters remain firmly Democratic suggests the party has enduring strengths in the community. The gender gap – 67% of Indian American women vs. 53% of men supporting Harris – was described as "striking". It mirrors the general U.S. population's gender gap to some extent, but emerged more recently in this ethnic group. Indian American women, often highly educated and professionally accomplished, were particularly mobilized by issues like abortion rights and minority representation, which kept them aligned with Democrats in large numbers.

Regional Differences Across the U.S.

Indian Americans are not evenly distributed across the country, and their voting patterns vary by region. The largest populations are in states like California (West Coast), New York/New Jersey (Northeast), Texas (South), and Illinois (Midwest). In 2024, surveys suggest that Indian Americans in coastal, traditionally "blue" regions showed the strongest Democratic lean, while those in the South – including fast-growing communities in Texas and Georgia – were relatively more receptive to Republicans.

Figure: 2024 presidential vote intention among Indian American voters by U.S. region (based on Carnegie IAAS survey data). Indian Americans in the South showed the narrowest Democratic lead – only 53% for Harris vs 38% for Trump – whereas those in the Northeast and West had a much larger tilt toward Harris.

As the figure indicates, Indian American voters in the South (e.g. Texas, Georgia, Florida) gave Harris just a ~15-point advantage (roughly 53% Harris to 38% Trump). In contrast, Indian Americans in the Northeast (e.g. New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts) voted roughly 64% for Harris vs only 24% for Trump – a 40-point spread in favor of Democrats. The West Coast (centering on California and Washington) and the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, etc.) were somewhere in between, with about 62–63% for Harris and 30–36% for Trump. These patterns make sense given the political contexts: Southern states are generally more conservative and the Indian American communities there include many newer immigrants in business or oil industries (some of whom lean GOP), whereas Northeastern and West Coast Indian Americans have longer-established, largely professional communities that align with the Democratic norms of those regions.

Another factor could be the influence of local Republican outreach: For instance, Texas has seen active Indian American Republican clubs and even an Indian American GOP congressional representative, potentially boosting the GOP share among South Asian Texans. In contrast, places like New Jersey have a long history of Indian American elected officials in the Democratic Party and community ties to Democratic machines. That said, even in Texas, Indian Americans remain more Democratic than the state as a whole (53% Harris vs 38% Trump is still a blue lean). And in blue states, the GOP still commands a minority of around one-quarter to one-third of the Indian vote. So while regional context matters, the community's Democratic preference persists nationwide – just to varying degrees.

It's worth noting that Indian Americans in swing states could be pivotal despite their small numbers. In 2024, states like Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas each have tens of thousands of Indian American voters – enough to tip a close race. Both parties targeted these voters with tailored messaging. Harris's campaign held diaspora events in places like Atlanta and Houston, while the Trump campaign ran ads on Indian TV channels and sent surrogates (like Shalabh "Shalli" Kumar of the Republican Hindu Coalition) to rally support. The regional vote breakdown above indicates that Democrats did best with Indian Americans in the Northeast (a region they were likely to win anyway) and somewhat less well in the South (where every extra vote could matter in tight contests). For example, in Georgia and North Carolina, Indian and other South Asian Americans have grown as a share of the electorate and were actively courted as part of the Asian American vote coalition that helped flip Georgia blue in 2020. NPR reported that in Georgia's fast-diversifying suburbs, South Asian voters could make a difference – some see Harris as an inspiring figure, while others are drawn to Republican ideas, making their turnout and choice a local wildcard.

Other Notable Demographic Factors

Beyond age and region, a few other demographic splits are of interest:

Gender: As discussed, women in the community are more strongly Democratic than men. In 2024 this gap was especially large among the young. Indian American women often cite issues like abortion, education, and healthcare as critical – for instance, Indian American women voters outnumber men in prioritizing reproductive rights as a top issue. This contributed to Harris winning about two-thirds of Indian American women's votes, a significantly higher share than she won among the men.
Religion: The vast majority of Indian American voters are Hindu, with smaller proportions of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, etc. The Carnegie survey data suggests Hindu Indian Americans (who form ~55–60% of the sample) were somewhat more likely to support Trump (35%) than non-Hindus were (27%). In other words, Harris's vote share was ~58% among Hindu Indians vs ~62% among Indian Americans of other faiths. This gap, while not huge, hints that some Hindu Indian Americans may lean GOP – possibly influenced by Hindu nationalist sentiment or the BJP-Modi connection. Indeed, observers have noted a segment of conservative Hindus energized by Trump's friendship with Modi. On the other hand, Indian Muslims and Christians in the U.S. tend even more heavily Democratic, driven by the minority solidarity factor. The net impact is that the Indian American vote skews a bit more Democratic in religious minorities of Indian origin than among Hindus. (Still, a majority of Hindus here voted Democratic in 2024.)
Education and Income: Unlike the broader U.S. trend where college-educated voters skew Democrat, among Indian Americans there is minimal education-based polarization. Highly educated and less-educated Indian Americans voted similarly in 2024 – likely because the community overall is very educated (the vast majority have a college degree) and other factors like generation play a bigger role. Income-wise, Indian Americans have high median incomes, but interestingly those in lower income brackets were slightly more Democratic in the survey (64% Harris if income < $50k vs 58% Harris if income > $100k). This mirrors a subtle class dynamic seen in Asian Americans broadly – wealthier individuals sometimes favor GOP tax policies – but the differences weren't vast. Both groups leaned blue.

In sum, Indian Americans are heterogeneous, and political preferences in 2024 differed significantly by age/generation and region, and to a lesser extent by gender, religion, and class. Older, immigrant, Northeast/West Coast Indian Americans formed the most solidly Democratic segment, while younger, U.S.-born, Southern Indian Americans were comparatively more open to Republicans. These internal variations are important for political parties to understand when tailoring outreach – the messaging that resonates with a first-gen Indian immigrant auntie in New Jersey may not sway a second-gen Indian American millennial man in Texas, and vice versa.

Shifts in 2024 vs. Previous Cycles

The 2024 cycle brought some changes to Indian American political behavior compared to past elections:

Diminished Democratic Margin: As noted, Democratic candidates still won the Indian American vote, but by a smaller margin than before. Harris garnered ~60% support versus Biden's ~70% in 2020. Party identification with Democrats dropped ~9 points since 2020, while GOP identification grew. This slight realignment represents the first significant Republican gains in this group in decades. Surveys by AAPI Data in mid-2024 also showed a dip in Indian Americans' approval of Biden (only 46% supported Biden in mid-2024, down from 65% who voted for him in 2020). Some of that ground was recovered when Harris became the nominee – indicating a boost due to her candidacy – but the overall trend still ended up a few points more GOP-friendly than 2020. Republicans celebrated this "modest drift" toward the GOP, even though they remain the minority choice. Indian Americans have not become swing voters overnight, but 2024 confirmed that they are not monolithic and can shift in response to U.S. political currents.
Surge in Salience of Abortion: In prior elections (e.g. 2016, 2020), issues like the economy and healthcare typically dominated for Indian Americans. In 2024, abortion emerged as a top-tier issue for the first time. The IAAS found abortion tied with the economy and jobs as the second-most-important concern overall (after inflation). This was largely a response to the Supreme Court's 2022 decision ending federal abortion protections – a change that mobilized many Indian American women and younger voters. As a result, Democrats' emphasis on protecting reproductive rights helped shore up support in the community (67% of Indian American women supported Harris). Indian Americans on the whole are strongly pro-choice (76% in one poll said abortion should be legal in all or most cases), so the contrast between the parties on this issue in 2024 was stark and impactful.
The "Kamala Harris effect": The presence of an Indian-origin candidate on the top of the ticket was a new factor in 2024. Initially, polls suggested some disenchantment with Biden among Indian Americans – he had lost support since 2020. But when Biden bowed out and Harris became the Democratic nominee, surveys showed Indian American voters "coming home" to the Democrats in greater numbers. Harris ultimately secured ~60% of the Indian American vote (better than Biden's mid-2024 polling, though still lower than his 2020 result). Qualitative reports indicated a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism: many Indian Americans took pride in Harris's heritage and felt "one of our own" was on the verge of making history. This likely boosted turnout – one community survey predicted 96% of eligible Indian Americans would cast ballots in 2024. However, others felt Harris did not necessarily represent their views – "She hasn't really engaged with the Indian community", some said, and a few even doubted her identification with her Indian roots. In the end, Harris's candidacy helped solidify the base (especially older voters who were thrilled to see an Indian American candidate) but did not completely stem the small pro-GOP shift among younger men. Indian American voters proved they are proud but pragmatic – representation alone was not enough to override issues or party considerations.
New Gender Gaps: Unlike in 2020, when Indian American men and women both strongly favored Biden, 2024 saw a clear gender divide (with men less Democratic). This was discussed earlier; it's a notable shift because in past data Indian American men and women had fairly similar partisan leanings. The fact that by 2024 Indian American women were 14 points more likely to vote Dem than Indian men suggests that broader U.S. trends (women trending Democratic, men toward GOP) have now extended into this community. Some observers tie this to social issues – e.g. Indian American women were especially alarmed by abortion restrictions and Trump's rhetoric, whereas some men were more attracted to Trump's populist style or didn't feel as personally threatened by GOP policies. This is a change from prior cycles and could persist moving forward.
Continued Liberal Ideology: Interestingly, even as a sliver of Indian Americans moved toward the political right in party terms, the community as a whole actually self-identified as more liberal in 2024 than in 2020. The share calling themselves liberal rose to 55%, conservative remained around 18–23%, and moderate fell. This paradox – moving slightly away from the Democratic Party yet more people embracing "liberal" as an identity – might indicate dissatisfaction with specific candidates (or the Biden vs. Trump matchup) rather than a true ideological shift to conservatism. Indian Americans may have been testing the waters with the GOP for various practical reasons, but fundamentally many still hold progressive views on issues like gun control, climate, healthcare, and immigration. Indeed, one analysis noted that if anything "Indian Americans skew left of center" on the ideological spectrum, with very few identifying as extremely conservative. Future Democratic candidates who can inspire this inherently liberal diaspora could potentially regain higher margins, especially if the GOP does not moderate its stances on social issues and inclusion.
Community Political Mobilization: Another trend is the increasing political mobilization of Indian Americans. Each cycle, more Indian Americans run for office and more engage in fundraising and advocacy. In 2022, for example, at least 10 Indian Americans (mostly Democrats) won state or local elections. Groups like Indian American Impact and Indiaspora have been galvanizing voter registration and turnout. By 2024, both parties treated Indian Americans as a key group in certain battlegrounds, which was not the case a couple decades ago. This higher profile is itself a shift from previous cycles when the community was smaller and less noticed.

In summary, compared to prior elections, 2024 saw Indian Americans inch a bit toward the center – Democratic dominance slipped slightly, the GOP made modest gains (especially among young men), and internal cleavages by gender and generation widened. Yet the community also demonstrated continuity: high civic engagement, a majority progressive outlook, and strong concern for issues that have long mattered to them (economy, healthcare, immigration). These changes and continuities indicate a maturing electorate that both parties will continue to court. Indian Americans are no longer a "sleeping giant" but rather an active voting bloc – one that is still majority-Democratic but increasingly up for grabs at the margins.

Comparisons with Broader Asian American Trends

Indian Americans are often viewed as part of the larger Asian American electorate, so it's useful to compare their political profile to other Asian origin groups. In many respects, Indian Americans align with broader Asian American voting patterns – Asian Americans overall lean Democratic – but there are some differences in degree and unique nuances:

Democratic Lean: In 2024, about 64% of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters nationwide supported the Democratic candidate (Harris), versus 31% for Trump. Indian Americans were in a similar ballpark, with ~61% for Harris vs 31% Trump. This places Indian Americans roughly in the middle of the Asian American spectrum: they were slightly less Democratic than the Asian American average (61% vs 64% for the Democrat). In fact, one survey noted Indian Americans had seen the sharpest decline in Biden support from 2020 to 2024 of any Asian subgroup, though Harris's candidacy later boosted their Dem support again. Still, Indian Americans gave Democrats a solid majority, similar to Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Japanese Americans, who also tend to vote ~55–70% Democratic in recent elections. The only major Asian subgroup that consistently leans Republican is Vietnamese Americans (who have unique historical reasons). Indeed, the only Asian subgroup where Trump led in 2024 polls was Vietnamese Americans – all others, including Indian Americans, favored the Democrat. Indian Americans' 60/30 split for Harris/Trump situates them between Black voters (who are the most Democratic-aligned) and Hispanic voters in 2024: for instance, 77% of Black voters and 58% of Hispanic voters backed Harris, while Indian Americans were at 61%. In other words, Indian Americans were more solidly Democratic than Latino voters on average, but less so than African Americans (who vote ~80-90% Democratic). Compared to the overall white vote – which was majority Republican in 2024 (52% for Trump) – Indian Americans remained much more Democratic.
High Turnout and Civic Participation: Indian Americans stand out for high voter turnout within the Asian American population. In 2020, Indian Americans reportedly had the highest turnout rate among Asian groups at 71%. This reflects factors like higher average age, education, and income – all correlating with voting – as well as concerted outreach. By comparison, some other Asian groups (e.g. Chinese or Filipino Americans) had lower turnout rates in past elections (50-60% range). The 2024 expectation of a 96% turnout of registered Indian American voters underscores that this community is exceptionally engaged. Many Indian Americans are naturalized citizens who view voting as an important duty, and second-gen Indian Americans are also highly educated (often aware of political issues from a young age). Asian Americans as a whole have lower turnout than whites or Blacks, but Indian Americans are an exception, often turning out at levels approaching or even exceeding the national average. This means Indian Americans punch above their weight in influence compared to similarly sized groups.
Issue Priorities: Indian Americans share many top concerns with other Asian Americans, but with some rank differences. For example, economy and healthcare usually rank high for all Asian groups. The AAPI Data surveys in 2022–2024 found economy, healthcare, racism/discrimination, and gun control frequently cited by Asian Americans. Indian Americans similarly care about the economy and healthcare; they are also very concerned about immigration policy, given many are immigrants or directly connected to the immigration system. One difference: Indian Americans tend to be more invested in U.S.-India relations and international student/visa issues, whereas say Chinese Americans might prioritize U.S.-China relations or Vietnamese Americans focus on anti-communism policy. But as noted, India policy isn't a vote-decider for most Indian Americans because both parties are seen as pro-India. On social issues, Indian Americans are broadly similar to Asian Americans – generally liberal on abortion and same-sex marriage, though perhaps a bit more conservative on affirmative action (educated South Asians have had debates on that topic). In the 2024 context, abortion stood out across Asian American communities as a major issue post-Roe; Indian Americans were no exception in elevating it.
Income and Education Profile: Indian Americans are one of the most educated and highest-income ethnic groups in America (median household income well over $100k). Typically, in U.S. politics, high-income voters lean Republican. However, Asian Americans (including Indians) have defied that pattern by voting Democratic in large numbers despite economic success. This is often attributed to their minority status and views on immigration/race issues. Indian Americans in Silicon Valley or medicine might benefit from GOP tax cuts, yet they often vote Democratic because of social tolerance or immigration concerns. That said, there is an undercurrent of fiscally conservative sentiment that GOP candidates have tried to harness (e.g. promising lower taxes or less regulation appeals to some Indian American small business owners). But thus far, the education and minority status of Indian Americans has outweighed pure class interests, keeping the group on the center-left overall – similar to Jewish Americans or other highly-educated minorities.
Ethnic Subgroup Nuances: The Asian American umbrella is very diverse. Indian Americans historically have been among the most Democratic Asian subgroups, comparable to Bangladeshi and Pakistani Americans. One survey in 2020 found Indians (along with Bangladeshis) had the highest support for Biden among South Asians, whereas Vietnamese and Filipino Americans were less Democratic-leaning. By 2024, Indian Americans' Democratic support dipped a bit, so they might now be on par with Chinese Americans, who also vote roughly 60-65% Democrat (with generational splits). Indian Americans diverge sharply from Vietnamese Americans, of whom a majority favor Republicans (due to anti-communist, pro-military views rooted in Cold War alliances). They also diverge from Cuban Americans (another GOP-leaning ethnic group). But Indian Americans share with groups like Japanese Americans and Korean Americans a general tendency to support the Democratic Party on social/political grounds despite a mix of economic statuses.

In electoral impact, Indian Americans often get grouped with other Asian Americans for analysis, but campaigns do micro-target them when possible. For instance, bilingual ads on Indian TV channels, outreach at Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras, or having Indian American surrogates (like local politicians) speak on a candidate's behalf are tactics used specifically for this community – similar to how campaigns have separate outreach for Chinese or Vietnamese communities. The broader Asian American vote is growing (now ~4.5% of the electorate), and Indian Americans are a significant chunk of that. As a whole, Asian Americans' Democratic advantage has been narrowing slightly (from ~77% Dem in 2012 down to ~64% in 2024), and Indian Americans contributed to that pattern in 2024. However, if one looks at long-term trends: a generation ago, Asian Americans were more evenly split or even leaned Republican (e.g. many Asians voted for George H.W. Bush in 1992). Indian Americans specifically in the 1990s had a notable Republican minority, especially among older professionals. That flipped strongly Democratic by the 2000s. Now, with the GOP seeking minority voters and some disillusionment with the Democrats, we may be seeing a partial "reversion to the mean" where Indian Americans behave like a typical immigrant group that Democrats win but not at North-Korean-election-level margins.

In conclusion, Indian Americans largely mirror the broader Asian American trajectory: reliably Democratic but showing small shifts toward political balance, highly concerned with practical issues, and increasingly recognized as a key voting segment. They continue to vote more like other Asians (and overwhelmingly unlike white evangelicals or others) – prioritizing economic security, healthcare, education, and an inclusive society. Any divergence, such as the slight Republican trend among Indian Americans, is one of degree. Indian Americans still stood closer to their Asian American peers than to the U.S. average in 2024 voting behavior. For example, while white Americans split roughly 45% Dem–55% GOP, Indian Americans were ~60–65% Dem, much like the overall AAPI average. Thus, the community remains a part of the Democratic coalition, even as the GOP has chipped away at its margins.

Community Voices and Perspectives

Polling data only tells part of the story; qualitative insights from Indian American voices provide context to these trends:

Many Indian Americans express a desire to be treated as a significant constituency whose issues matter. "Despite the rising political profile of Indian Americans, their political attitudes are woefully under-studied," noted one Carnegie report. This sentiment reflects a hunger for more candidate engagement. Indian American commentators often urge politicians to address specific concerns like visa backlogs (for family immigration), hate crimes, small business support, and U.S.-India ties in concrete ways, rather than assuming generic outreach will do. As community advocate Nilima Madan lamented, candidates make promises to Indian Americans at events, but "most promises fall on the sidelines" after the election. This hints at a caution: Indian Americans don't want to be pandered to; they want follow-through on issues affecting them (for instance, seeing movement on immigration reform or inclusion in government).
On being "single issue" vs "holistic" voters: Indian Americans themselves reject the notion that they vote on a single identity-based issue. As one journalist wrote, "South Asians are voting on issues rather than identity", meaning they care about the economy, health, etc., more than simply having a South Asian face in office. Harris's candidacy was celebrated, but as a voter in Georgia told NPR, ultimately "the point that most people really care about is, can you do the job?". This captures the community's pragmatic streak – representation is meaningful, yet competence and policy alignment are paramount.
Views on Republicans: Interviews reveal a mix of admiration and aversion toward the GOP. For example, some Indian Americans credit Trump for supporting India (citing events like the "Howdy Modi" rally in Houston) and for his stance on fighting terrorism, which they view as beneficial to India. On the other hand, Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and handling of COVID-19 alienated many Indian Americans, including some who might agree with him on business matters. In a BBC piece, an Indian American doctor said "character matters" to her, implying Trump's behavior turned her off despite any policy agreements. Others pointed to the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents during the Trump era as a big concern – they want leaders who will unequivocally denounce racism. This is one reason Indian Americans overall remain wary of Republicans; they fear an undercurrent of exclusion.
Impact of Indian American Republicans (Haley, Ramaswamy): 2024 was also unique in that, for the first time, two Indian American candidates (Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy) ran prominent campaigns for president in the Republican primaries. One might assume this could draw Indian Americans toward the GOP. However, community response was tepid. The Carnegie survey found Indian Americans rated Haley and Ramaswamy quite unfavorably despite their heritage. Many Indian American Democrats view them as ideologically opposed on key issues (for instance, both candidates criticized immigration levels and "identity politics," positions that don't resonate with a mostly first-generation electorate). Even Indian American Republicans were divided – some appreciated Haley's success but others preferred Trump's brand over what they saw as token candidacies. Ultimately, Haley or Ramaswamy being in the race didn't significantly shift Indian American loyalty. As one analysis noted, ethnic solidarity has limits: Indian American voters won't back a candidate solely due to shared ethnicity if the candidate's views clash with their own priorities. This was exemplified by the fact that Kamala Harris, a Democrat, remained far more popular in this community than Haley or Ramaswamy, even among many Republicans of Indian origin.
Indian Americans as a cohesive community or not: There's an ongoing conversation about whether Indian Americans will consolidate as a cohesive voting bloc (like Cuban Americans or Jewish Americans have in some ways) or whether internal divisions (by religion, region, ideology) will prevent that. Some op-eds point out a generational shift in identity – older immigrants tended to emphasize a pan-Indian American identity and solidarity as minorities, whereas younger ones might identify more by ideology or sub-ethnic group (like Gujarati, Punjabi, etc.) and be less uniformly Democrat. That being said, common experiences (such as immigration struggles or discrimination) still bind Indian Americans, and groups like South Asians for America or Hindu American PAC try to rally collective political action. The 2024 election, with its record number of South Asian candidates and intense outreach, may have strengthened an emerging sense that "Indian American votes matter." For example, the Indian American Impact organization held summits highlighting how close elections in states like Georgia or Arizona could hinge on South Asian turnout, encouraging the community to flex its muscle. This reflects a maturation of Indian American political influence – from observers to participants to potential kingmakers in tight races.

Conclusion

The 2024 election cycle underscored both the growing clout and the evolving dynamics of Indian American voters. They remain a predominantly Democratic-leaning group that thinks broadly about policy – concerned with economic prosperity, healthcare, immigration, and social justice – rather than voting based on a single identity issue. However, their longtime attachment to the Democratic Party has softened slightly, with a noticeable minority now drawn to Republican candidates, especially among younger men. Demographically, the community's older immigrants and women are still staunch Democratic voters, while younger, U.S.-born men are injecting a bit more diversity into the vote choice. Regionally, Indian Americans in different parts of the country show varying levels of support for each party, aligning somewhat with their surrounding political environments.

In comparative context, Indian Americans continue to be one of the most politically engaged segments of Asian Americans, and their overall left-of-center stance aligns with the broader Asian American trend, though with unique factors at play (such as interest in U.S.-India relations and a recent small Modi-fan-driven Republican tilt). Polling data, backed by community voices, reveals a nuanced picture: a community that values both representation and results. They cheer the rise of Indian American leaders (across party lines) yet ultimately cast ballots based on issues that affect their daily lives and future in America.

As we look beyond 2024, the key question is whether the Democratic Party will retain its roughly 60% share of this vote or whether Republicans can further chip away by appealing to Indian Americans' entrepreneurial and cultural conservative streaks. The answer may depend on how each party addresses the community's priority issues – from inflation to immigration reform – and how inclusive their rhetoric is toward immigrants and minorities. For now, Indian Americans have proven to be analytical, high-information voters who can neither be taken for granted by Democrats nor written off by Republicans. Both parties will likely continue to invest in this fast-growing electorate. And with Indian Americans now serving at high levels of government and running for offices nationwide, the community's political integration into American life is deeper than ever. This upward trajectory of participation suggests that Indian American voters will be an increasingly important constituency in U.S. politics, one whose preferences could even swing the outcome in tight contests – just as they arguably did in 2020 (helping Biden in Georgia) and were poised to in 2024. As one detailed survey concluded, "Indian Americans have emerged as an important political actor" in the U.S., and understanding their priorities and behavior is crucial in any analysis of American elections moving forward.

Sources: Indian American Attitudes Survey 2024 (Carnegie Endowment); AAPI Data & APIA Vote surveys; AsAmNews; BBC News; New Lines Magazine; The Indian Panorama; NPR and VOA interviews; and other cited analyses.