New AARP Analysis Details Role of Most Powerful Vote in NY in Presidential Election

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Nov 08, 2012, 03:08 ET

Empire State Voters 50 and Over Had Social Security and Medicare on Their Minds at the Polls

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 50-plus voters in the Empire State were expected to account for roughly 40% of all votes cast in this year's elections, according to exit polls from 2004 and 2008, and serve as a deciding factor in most state and federal elections. Today, a new AARP analysis of exit polls from the recent Presidential election details the role of 50-plus voters in New York and across the nation.

New York's 50-plus vote went to President Barack Obama, sending him onto a second term, with 61% voting for him, compared to 38% backing Mitt Romney. Nationally, Romney picked up 53% of the 50-plus vote, with Obama getting 46%.

Obama saw a decrease in 50-plus voter support nationally from 2008 when 48% of 50-plus voters backed him. In New York, however, his support increased 6% from 2008, when he received 55% of the state's 50-plus vote.

"The looming debate over the future of Social Security and Medicare are some key issues on the age group's minds, both in New York and across the nation," said David McNally, Manager of Advocacy for AARP in New York. "According to recent You've Earned a Say questionnaires filled out by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, the majority think changes need to be made to Social Security (68%) and Medicare (73%), but overwhelmingly agree a balanced approach must be taken to ensure the programs are there for future retirees."

The New York You've Earned a Say questionnaire results were not scientific and can be found on-line: http://bit.ly/AARPNY.

Though the President lost some ground with older Americans nationally, the voting group still accounted for a larger portion of his support than any other age demographic, casting nearly 40% of his vote total. The 24 million votes for Obama by 50-plus voters nearly doubled what he received from 18- to 29-year-olds.

The full AARP 50-plus voter analysis can be found here: http://bit.ly/50ExitPolls.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP New York