With a who's who of Utah's political hierarchy attending - Senate President John Valentine, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon - the chamber urged the Asian community to speak louder than ever on Election Day.

"Democracy is not a spectator sport," chamber President Ze Min Xiao said. "You have to participate in order to get back."

The chamber has earmarked $2,000 for an aggressive get-out-the-vote campaign that has engaged Asian student associations at the University of Utah, Westminster College and Salt Lake Community College.

It's a campaign not only to enhance the Asian community's political influence at the polls - Asians represent 2 percent of Utah's population - but also to encourage minorities to run for office or take an active role in government.

"Your vote is your voice," Corroon told a crowd of more than 100 people. "It is the first way and the best way to have an influence over your community."

With egg rolls and sushi, chopsticks and fortune cookies, the crowd mingled for nearly two hours with political hopefuls such as gubernatorial challenger Bob Springmeyer, congressional contender Bennion Spencer and Salt Lake County Council candidate Jani Iwamoto.

Nearby, the Salt Lake Community College Asian Student Association staffed a registration table. Second-year student Duyen Lam has campaigned at places such as Ho Ho Gourmet in Salt Lake City for more Asian voters.

"We just want our minority voice to be heard," she said, echoing the spirit of Tuesday's gathering.

jstettler@sltrib.com