The Most Powerful Vote in NYC? Half of All Voters Likely to Be AARP Members

Contact: David Irwin dirwin@aarp.org

    New Assoc. Breakdown of NYC AARP Members and Voting Trends Shows Group To Be Deciding Factor in Elections

NEW YORK, NY – 50+ voters are a powerhouse at the polls and most candidates know it, what they may not know is within the group, AARP members are the dominating force. Today, releasing a new breakdown of members and voting trends, AARP New York is serving up a reminder for candidates seeking office in New York City, letting them know election victory could well hinge on its members.

AARP member breakdown for NYC elections:

• AARP has 743,463 members in New York City.
• 68%, or 505,555, members hit the polls in the last Mayoral election, accounting for roughly 88% of the 50+ vote and 43% of the total vote. The 50+ vote made up 49% of all ballots cast.
• 80% of NYC AARP members, or 587, 336, say they vote in larger magnitude races – that’s about 50% (49.85%) of the total 2009 NYC vote tally.
• The 50+ vote in NYC were 54% of all ballots cast in 2010, given the open Mayoral seat, AARP predicts the age group’s turnout to be at least that this year with AARP members comprising the overwhelming majority of the vote.

“AARP’s nearly three-quarters of a million members in New York City will likely decide the next Mayor and City Council Members, they hit the polls at higher rates than any other group in the city,” said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York. “This year, we are making sure their issues - jobs and the economy, housing affordability, caring for aging parents, as well as how to make NYC a better place to live, work and age - are front and center for the candidates asking for their vote.”

While AARP does not endorse candidates, have a PAC, or give money to campaigns or political parties, the non-partisan membership organization does provide straight-forward information on the issues to 50-plus voters, the media and the general public.

This year, AARP is flexing its voter engagement muscle in NYC elections for the first time, teaming up with other influential voting blocs, NAACP, The Hispanic Federation, The Asian American Federation and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) to hold a first-ever joint Mayoral Town Hall.

The groups are partnering on the event with WXTV Univision 41, the leading Spanish-language television station in the New York area, WABC-7, The New York Amsterdam News and SinoTV/1380 AM.   Candidates who’ve confirmed their participation: Sal Albanese, Adolfo Carrion, John A. Catsimatidis, Bill de Blasio, Joe Lhota, John Liu, George McDonald, Erick Salgado and Bill Thompson.

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 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. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. 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 .

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