WASHINGTON, D.C. —  In a newly released AARP-Politico poll, Arizona voters age 50 and over are concerned about personal finance and health care issues.  The poll found that Social Security, health care and Medicare will help determine their vote for Congress this fall, and a strong majority (72 percent) supports allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.  The poll also oversampled Hispanic and Latino voters, and found that health care is a “very important” issue (75 percent) in determining their vote.

“If candidates want to win in November, they cannot ignore the issues that matter most to voters age 50 and up,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “Older voters are routinely the largest age group to vote in mid-term elections, and they will no doubt show up in force in November.  AARP is mobilizing older voters and making sure they know where candidates stand on the issues.”

AARP has partnered with Politico to create a series titled, “The Deciders,” that integrates original polling focused on 50-plus voters, data analysis and cutting-edge data visualization tools built by Politico’s specialized interactive team. The second edition in the series is focused on Arizona, a key election battleground state. The first poll in the series surveyed Florida voters.

The Arizona poll findings include:

• A significant majority of 50-plus voters say Social Security (78 percent), health care (76 percent) and Medicare (75 percent) are “very important” issues as they cast their vote in November;
• 50-plus voters want Washington to take action to lower prescription drug costs, with 72 percent supporting allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices;
• 87 percent of 50-plus voters “strongly support” (56 percent) or “somewhat support” (31 percent) a state income tax credit for family caregivers;
• 77 percent of 50-plus voters support maintaining Medicaid funding for low-income Arizona seniors, while only 10 percent support Medicaid cuts;
• 62 percent of 50-plus voters believe the Department of Veteran Affairs is doing either a “very bad job” (28 percent) or “somewhat bad job” (34 percent) of meeting the needs of veterans, and 76 percent believe mental health is a “major problem” for veterans; and
• 95 percent of 50-plus voters “strongly agree” (76 percent) or “somewhat agree” (19 percent) that older workers should be protected from age discrimination.

The Politico-AARP poll, conducted by Morning Consult, surveyed 1,641 registered voters in Arizona from June 29 to July 9, 2018, and has a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. For voters 50 and older, the poll surveyed 834 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. For Hispanic voters, the poll surveyed 494 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

In addition to the Politico partnership, AARP launched "Be The Difference. Vote™," a comprehensive voter engagement campaign to support Americans age 50+ as they vote in the 2018 midterm elections. AARP will seek to get the largest possible turnout of 50+ voters in November and ensure issues of particular importance to older voters are front and center—issues like Medicare, Social Security, financial security, prescription drug costs, and family caregiving.

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About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

About Politico

Politico is the global authority on politics, policy, and the power surrounding their intersection. We have the most robust news operation and information service in the world specializing in politics and policy, which informs the most influential audience in the world with more insight, edge, focus and authority than any other publication.

Colby Nelson, AARP Media Relations, cnelson@aarp.org, 202-434-2584