AARP Survey Finds Idaho's 50+ Vote in Sour Mood Heading Into the Polls

Over 90% Say They'll Vote, Most Are Unhappy with State's & Country's Direction, Say Candidates Aren't Talking about Their Issues

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The only weather forecast that may matter this Election Day is the dark cloud hanging over the most powerful vote in Idaho, voters age 50 and older, as they head to the polls.  According to a new election survey conducted by AARP Idaho over the last 24 hours and released this morning, while 95% of its members say they'll vote, they also say the candidates aren't talking about the issues that matter to them.  

Most identify themselves as Independent voters with moderate political views who aren't happy about where Idaho and the Country are heading.  

The 50+ voters in Idaho typically make up about two-thirds of all votes cast in mid-term elections, with about 3 out of every ten ballots likely coming from an AARP member (http://bit.ly/cqcD16).  The voting age group will likely determine who gets elected in Idaho.  

AARP Idaho's 2010 Election Survey of roughly 690 members across the state was conducted over the last 24 hours -- and asked respondents key questions to gauge their mindset as they prepare to vote today (the full survey can be found here: http://bit.ly/ahszXA).  Here's what survey respondents had to say:  

• Voting: 95% plan to vote, 36% say they identify themselves an Independent voter, with 46% leaning Moderate (Conservative: 31.6% & Liberal: 19.3%).

• Direction of Idaho:
  • 62% say it's gotten off track
  • 29% say right direction  

• Direction of the country:  
  • 64% say it's off track
  • 32% right direction

• Candidates for state office talking about your issues?
  • Yes: 43%  
  • No: 53%

• Candidates for Congress talking about your issues?
  • Yes: 35%  
  • No: 61%

When asked what matters most to them when voting for a candidate, character or personal qualities was the top response (40%), followed by candidate's position on issues (26%) and voting record (25%), all beating out political party (10%).

Some of the results stand in stark contrast to an AARP survey of Idaho residents age 65+ released at the beginning of the year finding: While 37% said they are Independent voters, 53% lean conservative, with about 90% saying they plan to vote (http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/id_ewb_10.pdf).

What's on the groups mind in Idaho: the state budget; education funding; fixing the state's "conscience" law to honor patient's living wills and advance directives; campaign financing; and addressing Idaho's doctor shortage.  The issues made up AARP Idaho's "straight from the member" voter guides, posing the issues to every candidate for Governor, Lt. Governor and State Legislature, their answers can be found at www.aarp.org/yourvote.   The site also has "In Their Own Words" voter guides for Idaho's Congressional races, stating the candidates' positions on issues like the future of Social Security, access to doctors for Medicare beneficiaries, and how the candidates will help older workers get back to work.

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with 180,000 members.

Follow us on Twitter @AARPIdaho and Facebook: AARP Idaho

SOURCE AARP Idaho

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