AARP Urges Illinoisans to Find Out Where Candidates Stand Before Casting Their Votes

Association's Voters Guides Cut Through Political Chatter, Give Voters Critical Information

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Oct 29, 2014, 12:31 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With less than a week to go before Election Day, financial security is the top concern for Illinois voters ages 50 and older. As Illinoisans ponder their votes for Congress, governor, state legislature and other elected offices, they can access AARP's Voter Guides and find reliable information on where candidates stand on Financial and Retirement Security, Medicare, Social Security and other critical, pocketbook issues.

"An AARP Illinois survey found that a large majority of older voters are not hearing from their candidates about the key issues that matter to them and their families," said AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo. "Our nonpartisan voters' guides help voters cut through the political clutter and pressure candidates to share their views on lifeline issues before Election Day."

AARP's federal guide poses three questions on Social Security, Medicare, and Financial Security to candidates in all 471 federal races:

How would you protect Social Security for today's seniors and strengthen it for future generations?
How would you put Medicare on stronger financial ground and protect today's seniors and future retirees from the burden of rising health costs?
How would you help Americans save so they can secure their future and live independently as they age?

The responses, which appear alongside AARP principles on each issue, consist of publicly available information and excerpts from candidate campaign sources. Voters can enter their address to see responses from general election candidates in their specific races for seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Visitors to www.aarp.org/yourvote can also contact the campaigns with their comments or questions and find out where they can vote in their state.

Candidates for Illinois races were asked questions on specific state issues, including support to family caregivers, access to critical home and community-based services, retirement security and access to affordable and reliable landline telephone service.

"AARP is a strictly non-partisan association. We do not support, oppose, or contribute to any candidates for elected office," Gallo added. "But for nearly 30 years AARP has been committed to nonpartisan voter education – helping to ensure that voters know where candidates stand on critical issues."

AARP Illinois voters guides can be accessed online at: www.aarp.org/yourvote

SOURCE AARP Illinois