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| May 15, 2024 | Available files: mp3 wav jpg |
Pennsylvanians age 50 and older make up a majority of voters in the state. A new poll gives a snapshot of where they stand on the upcoming presidential election, as well as which issues are influencing their decisions. Age 50-plus voters made up 62% of total Pennsylvania voters in 2022. Comments from Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director, AARP Pennsylvania; Bob Ward, a partner at Fabrizio Ward; and Jeffrey Liszt, a partner at Impact Research.
Intro: A new poll for A-A-R-P Pennsylvania reveals candidates must focus on issues critical to voters age 50 and older ahead of the November elections. This influential voting bloc makes up over half the state's electorate, and 85-percent told pollsters they are "extremely motivated" to cast their ballots. Bill Johnston-Walsh with A-A-R-P Pennsylvania says Pennsylvanians age 50-plus will be key in determining who wins in November.
| :09 "Voters age 50-plus are the largest voting bloc in Pennsylvania and the country. They consistently show up to the polls, and we anticipate that this year will be no different." |
Tag: Johnston-Walsh adds in the 2020 elections older voters accounted for 55-percent of all Pennsylvania voters and in the 2022 midterms, they made up 62-percent of the state's voters. He adds they expect those numbers to grow this year for the general election.
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Second Cut: Bob Ward with the public-opinion firm Fabrizio Ward says voters age 50-plus prioritize economic issues, and will back candidates who protect Social Security and support family caregivers.
| :15 "When we look at it from an electoral standpoint, it's not surprising that older voters are more likely to vote for the candidates who say they will make sure workers get the Social Security they paid into. The big picture here among voters 50-plus is that economic issues are paramount." |
Third Cut: And Jeffrey Liszt with Impact Research says Pennsylvania voters, particularly 31-percent of those ages 50 to 64, have a high rate of family caregiving responsibilities and voice concerns about services.
| :18 "Over 40% of these family caregivers are spending more than 20 hours a week caring for a loved one, which is why it's such an important issue for them. And that's why more than three-quarters of voters 50-plus say that they will reward candidates who provide more support for family caregivers." |
Tag: A significant portion of older voters, 63-percent, also expressed concerns about their personal financial circumstances, citing the rising costs of food and utilities as reasons for financial strain.
OPTIONAL REPORTER WRAP: uses first soundbite(s)
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Note to Editors: Reach Johnston-Walsh at WJohnstonwalsh@aarp.org and Ward and Liszt via TJ Thiessen at tthiessen@aarp.org. Poll: https://shorturl.at/uITW1 AARP-PA (article): https://shorturl.at/boS58