Source: The Los Angeles Daily News
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2121333,00.html
On May 1, 2004 The Los Angeles Daily News reported, "Arab-Americans and U.S. Muslims always vote in large numbers. An estimated 79 percent are registered, and 85 percent of those say they vote, according to a 2001 poll taken on behalf of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Political activists believe the power of the community's bloc vote helped put George Bush in the White House four years ago. Bush won the community's votes overwhelmingly in Florida, where he claimed the presidency with less than a 600-vote margin. The community cast a bloc vote on the advice of trusted voices, as from the Council on American Islamic Relations and the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Word spread to voters over the Internet, at Islamic centers and through popular, ethnic newspapers, such as Al-Watan and Arab World in Anaheim and An-Nahar in Whittier... This time, rank-and-file Muslim voters say their support won't be won as easily. They are grasping for a better understanding of issues and candidates and a stronger say in government. 'We want to create a model community with 100 percent voter registration,' said Aslam Abdullah, a political adviser and founder of the newly minted Muslim Electorate Council of America. 'That's what we are aiming for. We are doing the extensive work needed to bring in as many voters as possible.'"