AARP spotlights importance of 50-plus voters

From AARP

WASHINGTON — AARP released a series of battleground state polls of likely voters in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The full survey results will be released Tuesday.

“This election hinges on battleground states and these results show either candidate can win,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP EVP and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer. “Most importantly, people are casting their ballots earlier than ever. The window is closing, so candidates need to address concerns of 50-plus voters now.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in five states: Colorado — 50 percent to 40 percent — Maine — 54 percent to 40 percent — Michigan — 50 percent to 43 percent —  Pennsylvania — 49 percent to 46 percent — and Wisconsin — 50 percent to 45 percent. Trump leads Biden in one state: Montana — 50 percent to 43 percent. In five states, Biden and Trump are tied or within the margin of error: Arizona — 48 percent to 47 percent — Florida — 48 percent to 46 percent — Georgia — 47 percent to 46 percent — Iowa — 45 percent to 47 percent — and North Carolina — 48 percent to 48 percent.

The polls also surveyed key U.S. Senate races, which found:

• In Arizona, Democrat Mark Kelly — 48 percent — leads incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally — 45 percent.

• In Colorado, Democratic former Gov. John Hickenlooper — 51 percent — leads incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner — 46 percent.

• In Georgia, Democrat Jon Ossoff — 48 percent — leads incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue — 47 percent.

• In Georgia’s special election, Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler — 24 percent — leads Republican Congressman Doug Collins — 20 percent — Democrat Raphael Warnock — 19 percent — Democrat Matt Lieberman — 10 percent — Democrat Ed Tarver — 7 percent — and 19 percent of voters are undecided. 

• In Iowa, incumbent Republican Sen. Joni Ernst — 50 percent — leads Democrat Theresa Greenfield — 45 percent.

• In Maine, Democrat Sara Gideon — 44 percent — and incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins — 43 percent — within the margin of error and Independent Lisa Savage with 6 percent.

• Due to Maine’s Ranked Choice voting, undecided voters and those who support Lisa Savage, an independent candidate, were asked a follow up about their next choice. The results found Gideon — 48 percent — and Collins — 47 percent — within the margin of error. 

• In Michigan, incumbent Democrat Sen. Gary Peters — 45 percent — leads Republican John James — 41 percent.

• In Montana, Republican Sen. Steve Daines — 50 percent — leads Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock — 47 percent. 

• In North Carolina, Democrat Cal Cunningham — 42 percent — leads incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis — 39 percent.

The bipartisan team of Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group conducted the surveys in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin between August 30 and September 8, 2020.

The bipartisan team of Fabrizio Ward and Hart Research conducted the polls in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maine and Montana between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5. The methodology for each survey is available here.

In August, AARP launched “Protect Voters 50+,” available online at https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/?CMP=RDRCT-ADV-POLT071719, a comprehensive voter engagement campaign to support and protect Americans 50-plus as they vote in the 2020 elections. The campaign will help Americans over 50 vote safely, whether at home or in person. The “Protect Voters 50+” campaign will provide people with the information they need about this year’s elections, including video voters’ guides, issue briefings, direct mail, text messaging, social media and paid media.

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit http://www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.