She's the Difference: The Power of Older Women Voters

She’s the Difference is AARP’s ongoing research series exploring the priorities and concerns of women age 50 and over — a critical voting demographic.

• Women age 50-plus make up a large and increasing share of registered voters. As of 2024, there were 47 million women voters ages 50 and over, nearly 31% of all registered voters — up from 25% in 2016. 
• Women age 50-plus turn out at a high rate. In the 2024 election, more than a quarter (28%) of all voters were women age 50 and older, and nearly three in four (73%) women voters in this age group turned out to vote, according to Census data.
• Women over 50 make up the biggest bloc of swing voters. The February 2022 Georgetown Institute of Politics Battleground Civility poll found that 32% of voters who are ticket splitters are women over 50.
• Women voters 50-plus make a difference in election results. In 2022, AARP polling showed women 65+ in battleground Congressional districts moved from favoring Republican candidates by 2 points in July 2022, to favoring Democrats by 14 points in November 2022 – a 16-point shift that contributed to the narrowness of the Republican House majority.

Heading into the 2026 elections, it is vital for elected leaders and political candidates to understand the needs and concerns of women age 50 and older.  

About This Research: In partnership with an all-star roster of public opinion experts from both sides of the aisle, AARP aims to use quantitative and qualitative research to explore — and explain — the mindset, attitudes, fears, and hopes of women voters ages 50 and up.

For more information, please contact Kate Bridges of AARP Research at kbridges@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.