AARP in Key States Give Outlook for Election Day

Source: AARP Press Center

November 3, 2008

Contact: Drew Nannis 202-434-2560 anannis@aarp.org

WASHINGTON - AARP today released statements from its state offices in toss-up states around the country looking ahead to Election Day tomorrow. Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania – in addition to AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond – all provided a quick look at what tomorrow is likely to bring.

All are available for interviews throughout the day today and tomorrow; their statements follow:

Colorado State Director John Looney:
“Colorado voters have been at the polls since early voting started October 20th. AARP has encouraged voters to take advantage of early voting and vote by mail options given the long lines we saw in '04 and '06 and the extraordinary surge we've seen in voter registration throughout the year. As always, exit polls show that our members vote and given the recent escalation of financial insecurity issues in the past months and the heightened discussion of access to health care, we're sure our members’ numbers at the polls will be impressive.”

Florida State Director Lori Parham:
“We anticipate extremely heavy turnout on Tuesday. Floridians have been voting early since Oct. 20, and we’re seeing long lines at polling places throughout the state. We believe 4.26 million Florida voters already have cast their ballots, out of a total number of registered voters of 11.25 million, or nearly four in 10 voters. We expect turnout may reach 83 percent, the modern high-water mark for Florida voter turnout set in 1992. Clearly, these statistics signal extremely strong voter interest. We may be about to witness history-making voter turnout in Florida.”

Iowa State Director Bruce Koeppl:
“I have never seen Iowans more engaged in an election. Iowans are as concerned today about these issues as they were when this process began two years ago. They are tired of the gridlock in Washington and they expect the next President and Congress to work together and demand action on these issues." For the past five weeks, Iowa AARP and Divided We Fail have been on a 16-stop, ‘Break the Gridlock’ tour around the state talking with capacity crowds in packed rooms about the rising costs of health care and long term financial security.

Nevada State Director Carla Sloan:
"State and county statistics show that early and absentee voting in Nevada has already drawn more than half of the state's active registered voters to cast their ballots. We are hopeful that Election Day lines will be manageable as a result of such heavy early voting turnout."

Ohio State Director Jane Taylor:
“When polls close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, we expect 80 percent of Ohio’s registered voters will have cast ballots,” said Jane Taylor, state director for AARP Ohio. “Interest in this election has proved incredibly high, with tens of thousands of Ohioans attending candidates’ rallies across the state and early voting proving more popular than ever expected.”

Pennsylvania State President Stella Hyde:
“Over the last year, our volunteers and members have collected over 30,000 Divided We Fail pledge cards from Pennsylvanians who believe that all Americans should have access to healthcare and lifetime financial security. Our members across the state realize the growing importance of the older voter, so, yes, I believed older voters in PA are informed and ready to make their decision on Election Day.”

AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond:
“Tomorrow is the day we’ve been working toward for more than two years. AARP has been educating voters on the issues and the importance of voting and tomorrow we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure as many people 50-plus get to the polls as possible. In 2006 people 50-plus cast half of all the ballots nationwide; we’re expecting similar numbers tomorrow. Our states will be working throughout the day to help with the polls and we all eagerly await the results so we can begin working with the new administration on solving the economic security and health care crises that affect all Americans.”

ABOUT AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. 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. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.