A Volunteer's Perspective: Elections & How AARP Helps Its Members

Written by AARP NH Volunteer Dane Peters

It was the 2016 state and national elections that enticed my wife and me to get involved with AARP beyond our membership. This is when we began our deep dive into helping as volunteers. The best part was that we got to spend time with so many candidates. The biggest event was Politics and Eggs sponsored by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anslem College that made us feel needed and appreciated.

As we get ready to vote now in 2024, I thought it is important to review AARP’s role in helping its members and the public at large. Helping all in getting unbiased voting information is delicate. How do we advise and inform people without showing preferences in party goals and candidates?

At a recent monthly meeting of the AARP Volunteer Seacoast Group, I asked the members what they thought is the best way AARP helps its members be informed each election cycle — state and national — while remaining non-partisan. Here are some thoughts they shared:

• Be non-partisan in all activities.
• Focus on the AARP issues of prescription drug costs, Social Security, caregiving, Medicare, and livable communities.
• Guide members to resources about these issues at the NH AARP website, AARP Bulletins, and AARP Magazines.
• Do not give personal thoughts or opinions.

AARP’s role in every election is to focus on the issues that impact people 50 and older so voters understand where the candidates stand on these issues. And to help inform voters on the where, when and how to vote. This information can be found for Granite Staters at www.aarp.org/nhvotes.

Give some thought to getting involved with AARP as a volunteer. You can learn more about different volunteer roles available in New Hampshire here. My wife and I cannot do enough for AARP. It is such a fabulous organization, especially for our members ages 50 and older.