The AARP Bulletin commissioned a nationwide survey in January 2012 to understand the issues that are important to voters when choosing a candidate for the upcoming presidential election.  The survey also looked at the public’s confidence in certain entities (e.g., state government, federal government, and businesses) with regard to a variety of issues.  

Key findings include:

• Nine in ten adults (93%) are interested in the upcoming presidential election.  While no age differences exist on overall interest, intensity is higher among older adults.
  
• Intent to vote in the upcoming election is high, especially among Republicans.  Overall, nine in ten adults (90%) expect to vote.
  
• The economy, government competence, and health care costs will be the top of mind issues when choosing a candidate.  Eight in ten adults (82%) say job growth will be a very important issue when choosing a candidate to vote for in the 2012 election.  More than seven in ten adults (78%) say government competence will be a very important issue and 77% say rising health care costs will be a very important issue. 
  
• A solid plan to address the country’s problems matters most when choosing a presidential candidate.  Almost four in ten adults (39%) believe that whether the candidate has a solid plan to address the country’s problems matters most.  
  
  

The survey was conducted for AARP by Woelfel Research, an independent research firm.  Interviews were conducted January 17-21, 2012 among a nationally representative sample of 1,001 adults age 18+.   For more information, contact Laura Skufca at (202) 434-6285 .