PHOENIX — It's a group that consistently goes to the polls no matter what kind of election is taking place and a recent study claims they will be key in who becomes the next United States president.
AARP commissioned a non-partisan group that interviewed more than 1,300 potential Arizona voters. It found 94 percent of voters 50 years and older are committed to voting in the upcoming election.
The study also claimed 49 percent of people 50 years and older said they would vote for former president Donald Trump with 39 percent saying they would vote for current President Joe Biden.
“However, among women voters, the candidates are tied,” said Arizona Director of AARP Dana Kennedy.
Kennedy added that the study found that Biden does lead when it comes to Hispanic voters and both candidates are tied when it came to how women in the age group would vote.
"These women, 50 plus, are going to be the ones that are really going to, you know, determine the outcome of the election," Kennedy said.
The poll also looked into the key concerns this age demographic shares. Kennedy said some of the top issues include social security and the economy.
“If candidates want to win, they should pay attention to the issues that matter to voters over age 50, from protecting Social Security to supporting family caregivers,” Kennedy said in a statement.
Former State legislator and current political consultant Stan Barnes agreed that social security is a key issue for seniors and they will be the deciding factor on who takes the White House.
“They are the ones that make all the difference because they turn out,” Barnes said.
While the youth vote is important, Barnes said they just aren't reliable.
“It just never seems to materialize,” he said. "When they do turn out, they are highly influenced by people over 50 in their lives.”
Still, this election is expected to bring high voter turnout and both Barnes and Kennedy believe Arizonans could create serious change in the U.S.
“We are a critical component to the national outcome,” Barnes said.
Arizona Politics
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