HARRISBURG, Pa., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP
Pennsylvania's first 2024 election survey shows that candidates
should pay close attention to Pennsylvanian voters ages 50 and
older, and highlights the priorities and concerns of Black voters ages 50 and older that will
likely influence the outcome of the 2024 elections. Seventy-nine
percent of Black voters in
Pennsylvania are extremely
motivated to vote this year.
When asked about the issues that are important as they decide
whom to vote for this November, older Black voters cited Social Security (92% say
extremely or very important), Medicare (89%), policies to help
seniors live independently at home as they age (87%), the cost of
prescription drugs (86%) as key issues. In fact, Social Security
and Medicare emerge as their top priority issue in their vote for
Senate this year, with nearly twice as many Black voters 50+ choosing Social Security and
Medicare as any of the other dozen issues tested.
"With inflation and the rising costs of living squeezing all
Pennsylvania households,
Black voters 50+ are clearly
looking for leaders with a plan," said Bill
Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director.
"Candidates would be wise to listen to their opinions and
concerns if they want to win in November."
Among Black voters 50+,
President Joe Biden (D) leads former
President Donald Trump (R) by a
large margin: 84% to 8%. In the race for U.S. Senate, Senator
Bob Casey (D) leads Dave McCormick 87% to 7%.
Other key takeaways include:
- 96% of Black voters 50+ say
they are more likely to vote for a candidate for U.S. Senate who
advocated making sure workers get the Social Security they paid for
through a lifetime of hard work;
- Four of the five issues measured as cost concerns are important
to many Black voters 50+: health
care/prescription drugs, utilities, food, and housing; and
- 58% of Black voters 50+ are
worried about their personal financial situation including 63% of
women. Health care/prescription drugs and housing are the biggest
cost concerns;
- 66% of Black voters 50+ and
73% of Black voters 65+ say Social
Security is or will be a major source of their income.
AARP commissioned the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward & Impact Research to conduct a
survey. The firms interviewed 1,398 likely Pennsylvania voters, which includes a
statewide representative sample of 600 likely voters, with an
oversample of 470 likely voters age 50 and older and an additional
oversample of 328 Black likely voters age 50 and older, between
April 24-30, 2024. The interviews
were conducted via landline, cellphone, and SMS-to-web. The margin
of sampling error for the 600 statewide sample is ±4.0%; for the
800 total sample of voters 50+ is ±3.5%; for the 400 total sample
of Black voters 50+ is ±4.9%.
View the full survey results at aarp.org/PApolling.
For more information on how, when and where to vote in
Pennsylvania,
visit aarp.org/PAVotes.
About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to
choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP
strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the
more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health
security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also
works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions
and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services
to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and
information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation
publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more,
visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or
follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social
media.
CONTACT: TJ Thiessen, (202) 374-8033,
tthiessen@aarp.org
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SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania