AARP Launches Statewide Voter Van Tour

USA - English

Association Distributes Voter Guides, Helps Rockford Residents Get the Facts

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Sep 18, 2010, 12:00 ET

ROCKFORD, Ill., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lots of issues are at stake as Illinoisans ponder their vote for the upcoming mid-term and statewide elections on November 2nd. To help voters get the facts they need before they cast their vote, AARP is launching a statewide Voter Van Tour, distributing voter guides and providing citizens across Illinois with critical information about where their candidates stand on the issues that matter the most to them. Today, in Rockford, the Voter Van made its first stop, bringing a simple message to Illinois voters: It's Your Right. Your Decision. Your Vote.

"This is a critical election year, with issues such as the state deficit, Social Security, and the economy top-of-mind for Illinois voters," said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State Director. "Through our voter van tour, candidate forums and other activities, AARP is working hard to ensure that Illinois voters have the facts they need to make the decision that is right for them."

As part of AARP's voter outreach efforts, voter guides are available on- line for federal and state races. The guides are available on-line at www.aarp.org/yourvote.

AARP's voter outreach efforts in Illinois include candidate debates, community educational events, and on-line voter guides. The voter guides provide AARP's and the candidates' positions on key issues such as the future of Social Security, Medicare, the federal deficit, and the economy. AARP has asked the candidates their positions on these issues and has developed guides that include their responses.

Older Americans vote in greater proportion than any other age group in state legislative, Congressional and Presidential races. Of AARP's 1.7 million members in Illinois, nearly 90 percent are registered to vote, and nearly 80 percent of them vote in every election. AARP's efforts focus on informing all voters as well as encouraging them to vote. AARP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, and does not endorse political candidates, or contribute money to political parties or political candidates' campaigns.

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SOURCE AARP Illinois