Hey John,

I’m Jonathan, When We All Vote’s Senior Director of Co-Chair and Strategic Celebrity Engagement and a proud member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. My story begins in the early 80s when my mother and father, along with their families, immigrated to the United States from Taiwan with hopes of a brighter and safer future.

Growing up, four languages were spoken in the house: English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Taiwanese. Korean was spoken at my grandfather's house between my mom and her father. I felt a bit lost as an only child and a first-generation Asian American. Though I was exposed to different cultures and languages, I was encouraged to speak English to better “conform” and “fit in.”

Jonathan Lee as a child with his father during Christmas.

Politics and the importance of voting was never a topic of discussion in the home — the focus was always on moving up socioeconomically. It felt like I was leading two lives: one at home with my family and one at school. I was stuck between two cultures. My family encouraged me to study hard and become their idea of success in America, which meant a doctor, attorney, or engineer. That was not me. It took me until college to make the leap and pursue my true passion. Serving and improving my community put me on an unexpected path and journey to where I am today.

Since joining When We All Vote in 2018, I have played a key role in our big voter registration events like The Telethon For America, National Voter Registration Day Activations and Rallies, When We All Vote’s inaugural #CouchParty in 2020, Party at the Polls, and so much more. Showing up and doing this work has been nothing short of amazing.

Jonathan Lee holding up an election mail in ballot.

Jonathan Lee, Former When We All Vote Executive Director, Stephanie L. Young, and When We All Vote Co-Chair, Tom Hanks.

Our community has so much power. The Asian American population is one of the fastest-growing racial groups in the country, made up of more than 22 million people. During the 2022 midterm elections, AAPI voters showed their power.

In battleground states, AAPI voter turnout increased by 33%.
In the Georgia senate election, AAPI voters cast over 110,000 ballots in a race where the difference between opponents was just 37,675 votes.
According to APIAVote, the issues AAPI voters thought were most important during the midterms included: health care (88%), jobs and the economy (86%), crime (85%), education (82%), gun control (73%), and the environment (75%).

However, despite our power, only about half of AAPI voters are contacted by either of the major parties.That's why this AAPI Heritage Month, we want to celebrate YOU. So join me in honoring our stories, culture, and the experiences we create for ourselves and our families. Get involved with When We All Vote today by:

→ Register to vote or check your registration status at whenweallvote.org/register.

→ Text three friends and ask them to check their voter registration.

→ Get involved and make history in your community by visiting whenweallvote.org/takeaction.

We deserve to see people from our vibrant and diverse community at the forefront of innovative change. No more “fitting in.” Let’s be that change together 🫶🏼.

Yours in solidarity,

– Jonathan

Jonathan Lee

Senior Director of Co-Chair and Strategic Celebrity Engagement

When We All Vote

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When We All Vote is a non-partisan initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c3).