In a recent interview, Jade Tu, a Chinese American candidate vying for a spot on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, shared her deep concerns about a newly introduced election regulation. She believes this regulation puts American-born candidates like her at a significant disadvantage. According to reports from the San Francisco Standard, the new rule restricts non-Chinese candidates from using Chinese names on the ballot, which could also complicate matters for some Chinese candidates.
Under the revised guideline, candidates must provide documentation to prove they have been using their Chinese names for at least two years. Otherwise, only the phonetic version of their name will appear on the ballot. Historically, candidates could submit a two or three-character Chinese name to connect with the Chinese voter base. However, now candidates will need supporting documents, which can be particularly challenging for American-born individuals who may not have publicly used their Chinese names or do not possess the required paperwork.
On December 15, the San Francisco Elections Department released a list of 34 candidates whose Chinese names might be contested on the ballot. Notables on the list include Laurance Lee, Jade Tu, Jingchao Xiong, Jamie Wong, and Philip Wing.
“I’m really frustrated,” Laurance Lee told the Standard. He has been combing through past documents and news articles to confirm the authenticity of his Chinese name but has encountered skepticism from the elections office. Currently, he is examining his wedding files, as he’s used his Chinese name in various contexts, including social media, but it still might not meet the two-year criteria.
Jade Tu, an activist dedicated to combating anti-Asian hate, called the new regulation “absurd.” She has provided a statement from her Chinese mother affirming that her name has been Jade Tu since she was born. Despite this, she is bracing for potential challenges and has organized a press conference on December 20 to protest the rule.
Jingchao Xiong, who was born in China and is competing for the position currently held by Scott Wiener, mentioned he submitted an expired Chinese passport this week, feeling confident about the acceptance of his Chinese name. Similarly, candidate Michael Lai believes he meets the criteria since he can present his Chinese birth certificate.
Interestingly, the impact of the new regulation extends beyond Chinese candidates; it is also affecting some non-Chinese individuals. Incumbent judges Michael Begert and Patrick Thompson, along with challenger Albert “Chip” Zecher, could also face challenges regarding the use of their Chinese names. Zecher’s Chinese name, Li Weize, may only be presented in its phonetic form on the ballot.
Reflecting on the community’s reaction, Tu emphasized the personal significance of her Chinese name, highlighting that her family has called her by that name since the day she was born.