Idaho's 50+ Dominated Nov. Elections, AARP to Focus on Concerns in 2011 Leg. Session

Idaho Race-by-Race Analysis Finds 50+ Accounted for 65% of all Votes Cast - Assoc. Priorities Include Budget & Fixing "Conscience" Law in  Coming Session

BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The winners of Idaho's November elections are set to take their seats at the State Capitol in the coming days for the 2011 legislation session, and AARP is reminding legislators the state's 50+ voters likely put them there.  With Idaho voter data from last year's elections newly available, today, AARP released an analysis finding 65% of all votes cast came from a voter aged 50 or older.  AARP reviewed who voted in every legislative race in Idaho, and one thing is clear, the 50+ age group dominated the polls in all of them.

Out of the 408,000 Idahoans who hit the ballot box in Idaho's November elections, AARP's analysis found roughly 264,000 (or 65%) were 50 or older.  The trend holds true for every Idaho legislative race. While 66% of all registered voters 50+ voted, fewer than 40% of registered voters under 50 did. 

"50+ voters tend to have a very strong showing in mid-term elections, and the 2010 elections in Idaho were no exception," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "The 50+ are a known force in Idaho elections, now; many, including AARP members, are looking for those they voted for to act on issues that matter most to them in the upcoming legislative session."

On the heels of statewide efforts, listening to members' issues and concerns, AARP's top priorities for the 2011 Idaho legislative session include: working with lawmakers to tackle the state budget in ways that don't just call for more cuts to critical programs, including education, and protecting a patient's living will or advance directive by fixing Idaho's new "conscience" law.  AARP will roll out its full 2011 Idaho legislative agenda in the coming week.

"This is a voting group that expects state lawmakers to hear their voices beyond the ballot box," added Wordelman.  "This will no doubt be a daunting legislative session, and AARP is looking forward to working with legislators to tackle these key issues."

The AARP analysis found 50+ voters accounted for the majority of votes cast in every race in Idaho.  Nearly half of all Idaho's 50+ population are AARP members, a group that is even more likely to be registered and to vote in every federal, state and local election.

AARP voter turnout analysis: the power of the 50+ vote in Idaho

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with 180,000 members.

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SOURCE AARP Idaho