The Most Powerful Vote In New York: AARP Says High 50+ Voter Turnout in NY to Dominate Off-Year Elections

NY's 50+ Cast Nearly 6 of Every 10 votes in Last Mid-Term & Gubernatorial Election; Contribute Nearly $600 B/Yr. to Economy

News provided by

AARP New York

Nov 04, 2014, 02:33 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New York's 50+ make up the state's most powerful voting demographic and are expected to cast well over half of all ballots today as they head to the polls at a far higher rate than younger voters in this off-year election – giving them an outsized influence in determining today's winners.

During the last gubernatorial and mid-term congressional election in 2010, the 50+ voted at nearly twice the rate of their younger counterparts, casting 58% of all ballots across New York despite making up less than 44% of the state's voting-age population.

This year is expected to follow that pattern.

What's more, New York's 50+ are an economic force to be reckoned with; the group of 6.8 million contributes nearly $600 billion annually to the state's economy, supporting 53% of all jobs, 48% of employee compensation and 44% of all state taxes, according to an analysis by AARP and Oxford Economics.

"The 50+ will dominate the ballot box today, and AARP urges the winning candidates to heed the needs of this growing demographic by making New York an even better place to grow old – and grow up," said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York State. "The 50+ contribute nearly $600 billion a year to the state's economy, and they're an economic force New York can't afford to lose. Let's make sure they vote with their feet by staying right here."

What's on the minds of 50+ voters from Buffalo to Long Island? Being able to afford the high cost of utilities, housing and property taxes, being able to save enough money to retire, preserving and protecting Social Security and Medicare, ensuring they can care for their frail elderly loved ones, and feeling safe and mobile so they can age in their own communities, according to a recent AARP state survey and individual surveys of Erie, Monroe, Onondaga and Dutchess counties, the Capital Region, Long Island and New York City.

Six of every 10 working Baby Boomers confident they can retire are at least somewhat likely to leave New York when they leave the workforce, the statewide survey found.

In 2010 during the last gubernatorial and mid-term congressional elections, 52% of New York's registered voters 50 and older voted, compared with just 28% of voters 18 through 49. The numbers for both groups rose in the 2012 presidential election year, with 60% of New York's 50+ casting ballots vs. 43% of younger voters.

AARP is nonpartisan and does not support or oppose any political candidates.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP New York