AARP Arkansas releases nonpartisan Voter Guides

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Sept. 24, 2014                                                           

AARP Arkansas releases nonpartisan Voter Guides
Voters can view candidates’ own words on issues such as Social Security, Medicare, the Private Option for affordable health care, financial security, tax reform and seniors living independently

LITTLE ROCK—AARP Arkansas today released nonpartisan Voter Guides featuring positions from candidates in key federal and state races—in their own words—on critical issues including Social Security, Medicare, Arkansas’ Private Option for affordable health insurance and enabling seniors to live independently.

Voter Guides are available at www.aarp.org/yourvote for Arkansas’ U.S. Senate race; U.S. House of Representatives seats in Congressional Districts 1, 2 and 4; Governor; and Attorney General. The nonpartisan AARP does not support, oppose, or contribute to any candidates for elected office.

Voters can enter their street address to see a list of responses from the three statewide races and the applicable U.S. House race that will appear on each voter’s Nov. 4 general election ballot. Visitors to www.aarp.org/yourvote can also contact the campaigns with their comments or questionsand find out where they can vote in their state.

“AARP Arkansas wants to make sure our members and all voters know what the candidates are saying – and not saying – about key issues that matter to them and their families,” said Herb Sanderson, AARP Arkansas Associate State Director for Advocacy. “AARP’s nonpartisan Voter Guides help voters cut through the political clutter and inform voters on where the candidates stand on critical issues like Medicare, Social Security, the Private Option and caregiving before Election Day.”

AARP’s federal Voter 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. In Arkansas, candidates for Governor are asked:

• The majority of Arkansas residents want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. How will you help expand Arkansas seniors’ access to quality services provided at home and in the community (HCBS)?
• Will you support continuation of the Health Care Independence Act or Private Option so that hardworking Arkansans who earn up to $15,000 a year can have access to affordable health coverage?
• If tax reforms are implemented, how will you ensure that any such changes avoid hurting low and moderate income populations while also safeguarding the financial security of the 50+ population?

Candidates for Arkansas Attorney General are asked:

• The last storefront payday lender left Arkansas in 2009 but similar high-cost, predatory lenders attempted to set up shop in 2011 and 2013. What enforcement efforts will you take to stop predatory lending practices similar to payday lending from returning to Arkansas?
• How will you enforce laws to protect seniors from financial exploitation?

An index of all races across the nation in AARP’s Voter Guides is located at http://vote.aarp.org/race-index.do Additionally, AARP earlier this year commissioned election and issue surveys in eight states including Arkansas, Illinois, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Results for Arkansas in both the Governor and U.S. Senate races are available at www.aarp.org/yourvote

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org .​