I listen to talk radio when I am in my car. I like the callers and radio hosts opposing views and this year I have really enjoyed following the presidential race. It has been anything but boring. Now less than 45 days from electing a new president, things are really heating up.Today I was listening to a national radio show, and they kept commenting on how the “Youth of America” is really going to make a difference in this year’s election. I hear this often. I am sure that younger voters are making a difference in this year’s election, but I came into the office wondering what impact older voters will have. Seniors. The baby boomers. What is the turn out like for them? What are the key issues driving this demographic to vote? I looked online to answer these questions and I am very surprised at some of the facts I found.
This year they are predicting a record turnout of more than 135 million voters in the U.S. presidential contest. Seniors are still going to make up an astounding percentage of the voters in this country. Did you know that Senior Citizens are are the most reliable group to vote in American elections?
In fact, the nonpartisan Center for the Study of the American Electorate at American University in Washington, said seniors vote at a rate of about 60 percent more than young people and about 10 percentage points higher than the national average.
Seniors are the only group in America that has been increasing its rate of voter turnout, especially in the 75-and-older range where modern medicine is keeping people alive longer.
What are the key issues that are bringing seniors to the polls? Many of them are listed in a great movement titled "Divided We Fail" which is supported by the AARP.
The concerns of seniors today are:
- Social Security
- Health care
- Prescription drugs affordability
- the Economy
In my opinion, the economy will take center stage on this upcoming vote. The current crises in the housing and financial industries and their effect on the nation's economy is of particular concern to mature Americans who, according to AARP The Magazine, own three fourths of all financial assets in the United States and account for almost half — $2.1 trillion a year — of consumer spending. These numbers cause me to think that while the youth is an important demographic in this election, the candidates best not discount the seniors of America.
The 55-plus age bracket make up 39 percent of all 135 million registered voters and 46 percent of the 90 million of those likely to go to the polls (based on Census Bureau figures from the past two elections).
What will influence your decision vote most this November 5th? What issues do you feel most passionate about?
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