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AARP Poll: Ossoff Leads in Georgia Senate Race — Except Among Older Voters
Georgians 50-plus are concerned about Social Security, affordability and the rise of data centers
AARP (Getty Images, 2)
Key takeaways
- Democrat Jon Ossoff leads in Georgia’s Senate race, but voters age 50 and older favor Republican Mike Collins, and their votes could shape the outcome.
- AARP’s Georgia poll finds older residents are highly motivated to vote and rank Social Security, rising prices and health care among their top concerns.
- Most older voters support protecting Social Security and want policymakers to address issues tied to utility costs and Medicaid access.
- Read the full poll results here.
Older voters could tip the balance in the Peach State’s competitive races, including for U.S. Senate and governor, according to a new AARP poll.
The influence that voters 50-plus wield in Georgia is noticeable in one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races in the nation, where Democrat Jon Ossoff, the incumbent, faces off against Republican House Rep. Mike Collins.
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Fifty-two percent of voters surveyed prefer Ossoff, according to AARP’s poll of likely voters, while 43 percent said they would vote for Collins. This nine-point lead is wider than the one point that clinched Ossoff’s runoff victory in 2020. But among voters 50-plus, 53 percent support Collins, compared with 45 percent who favor Ossoff. Voters 65 and older lean even more strongly toward Collins, according to the AARP poll released July 23.
AARP (Getty Images)
It’s a similar story in Georgia’s gubernatorial race, where Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, and Republican businessman Rick Jackson are vying for the position. Forty-eight percent of all likely voters support Bottoms, while 42 percent prefer Jackson. Looking at voters 50-plus, however, the race changes: 55 percent prefer Jackson, compared with 42 percent who would vote for Bottoms.
AARP (Getty Images)
This bloc of older voters is also more likely to vote, and in larger numbers than other generations. In Georgia, 88 percent of voters 50-plus describe themselves as “extremely” motivated to vote, compared with 62 percent of those younger than 50. That means political candidates should pay attention to concerns about rising prices, Social Security and support for caregivers — all key considerations for older voters in Georgia as they weigh their options in November.
“This survey reinforces a consistent truth,” says Vanessa Payne, state director of AARP Georgia. “Voters age 50 and older are highly engaged and focused on the practical issues that shape their financial security and quality of life.”
Pollsters interviewed 1,060 likely Georgia voters about the Senate and gubernatorial races and about issues inspiring them to vote. The bipartisan polling team of Republican firm Fabrizio Ward and Democratic firm Impact Research conducted the AARP-commissioned poll from July 13 to July 16.
AARP (Getty Images)
Social Security and rising prices take center stage
This year’s midterm elections, which take place halfway through a four-year presidential term, could shift the balance of power in Congress. Lawmakers elected this year will make decisions on whether Social Security remains strong, whether family caregivers get more help and other issues that affect the pocketbooks of older Americans.
Control of Congress is also at stake, with all 435 U.S. House seats and 35 U.S. Senate seats on the ballot. There are currently 218 Republicans and 212 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as one independent and four vacancies. There are 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents in the Senate.
Older voters heavily influence the direction of elections. In every national election since 2002, people 65 and older have cast ballots at higher rates than their younger counterparts. That particularly matters in a midterm year, which draws a lower turnout across the board compared with presidential election years.
As they decide whom to vote for, Georgia residents across the political spectrum are eyeing their budgets in retirement.
Nearly half of older voters say Social Security is or will be a major source of their income. When those poll participants were asked about the most important issues that will decide their vote, 84 percent named Social Security, putting it at the top of the list. Rising prices for everyday essentials and the cost of health care follow.
Ninety-two percent of older Georgians polled said they are more likely to vote for a candidate who would ensure workers get the full Social Security payments they earned, while 84 percent say the same about candidates who would protect Social Security from cuts.
“Social Security affects the financial security of thousands of individuals across Georgia, and voters want to know it will remain reliable for current and future generations,” Payne says. “As candidates engage with voters, they should be prepared to explain how they will protect and strengthen this vital program.”
AARP (Getty Images)
Older voters hold the key
While Georgia is considered a red state, there are signs that Democratic candidates there could be gaining steam, including a plunge in net approval ratings for President Donald Trump — he is now 16 points underwater among all likely Georgia voters, in a state he won by two points in 2024 — and a Democratic base that is just as motivated to vote as Republican voters, if not more. Democrats also lead the generic congressional ballot by seven points, after being tied two years ago.
“Democrats have closed the Republicans’ advantage on motivation,” says Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research.
But the fact that older voters lean toward the Republican candidates means their decisions could make or break the race.
“We could see things play out in a way that is not as dire [for Republicans] as this poll is indicating come Election Day,” says Bob Ward, a partner at Fabrizio Ward.
Speaking to the concerns of women voters could also boost a candidate’s chances.
“They are an especially competitive audience,” Hogan says, pointing to the Senate race as a prime example: Older women voters favor Ossoff by a single point.
More than half of older Georgia voters identify as a current or former family caregiver; women are more likely than men to assume that role. They are also likelier than men to worry about their personal financial situation, which means candidates who address affordability could resonate especially well with women.
Some niche issues in the state cut across party lines.
Three-quarters of older voters worry that their electric utility rates will rise as data centers spring up around the state. Eighty-five percent agree that state policymakers should ensure that Georgia residents are not paying for the electricity these facilities consume.
Even modest increases in utility bills can have a significant impact on older Georgians who live on fixed incomes.
“Whether it’s true or not, there is the perception that data centers will drive up energy costs,” Ward says. He has seen the same pattern in other polls. “Voter sentiment is solidly behind the idea that data centers need to pull their own weight when paying for utilities.”
Georgia enacted Medicaid work requirements long before the One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandated them for most other states starting in 2027. The Pathways to Coverage program, which launched in 2023, requires some of its Medicaid recipients to engage in 80 hours of work, volunteering or job training per month to keep their benefits. But enrollment has been far lower than expected.
As part of the AARP poll, the bipartisan polling team asked voters whether they support reforming the program to keep the work requirement but make the reporting process easier to help eligible adults sign up. Two-thirds of voters from across the political spectrum expressed support for this idea.
Join Our Fight to Make Sure Your Vote Counts
AARP is a nonpartisan organization that never supports or opposes candidates for office. We believe the right to vote is fundamental, and we advocate for policies ensuring that Americans 50 and older can exercise that right without unnecessary barriers. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Learn more about voting in your state this year.
- Pledge to vote for candidates in 2026 who will protect and strengthen Social Security and support family caregivers.
- Sign up to become an AARP activist for the latest news and alerts on issues you care about.
- AARP is your fierce defender on issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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