What’s Motivating Older Voters in 2026?

The economy reigns supreme, but caregiving, health care also hold sway

Chris Adams,

AARP

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Published May 15, 2026

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Key takeaways

Older voters turn out at the highest rates, shaping election outcomes.
Cost of living tops the list of concerns for voters. Social Security, Medicare and caregiving remain central issues for voters 50-plus.
AARP is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. We make sure candidates address issues that are important to older adults.

Greg Howell turned 18 just in time. He was a freshman at East Carolina University, and his birthday had been on Oct. 20, 1972. Eighteen days later, he voted in the presidential election of 1972—the first time 18-year-olds across the country could do so. And he’s been casting his vote ever since. Today, his is a steadfast voice in the most loyal and consistent voting bloc in the country: those age 65 and over. As the nation moves to yet another vital election, older voters will play a disproportionate role, ensuring that Social Security, Medicare, caregiving and other issues of importance to them will be front and center.

“Our generation has always been pretty good about making our priorities known on the issues that affect us,” says Howell, 71, who lives near Asheville, North Carolina.

In every national election since 2002—when citizen voting data by age became available—those 65 and older have cast ballots at higher rates than their younger counterparts. In fact, in 2024, their voting rates inched up very slightly from the previous presidential election, while those of other groups dropped, according to survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau. For midterm elections like this year’s, the gap between older voters and younger ones is even bigger. In 2022, the difference was a yawning gap—66.8 percent of citizens 65-plus voted, compared with 27.6 percent of those 18 to 24.

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The larger size of the over-50 demographic, coupled with its higher voting rates, means the group plays a major role in shaping the direction of the country.

AARP will help keep that voting bloc well informed. While the organization is nonpartisan and doesn’t endorse candidates or contribute money to campaigns, it has a presence in every state to make sure candidates address issues of importance to those age 50-plus. This year, that means Social Security, family caregiving and health care, among other topics.

“Our job is to bring these issues to the attention of the candidates and to bring what candidates say to the attention of our members,” says Nancy LeaMond, AARP executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer.

Economic concerns drive voting

So what’s on the minds of older voters?

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Asked to name the “biggest issue facing the country today,” voters in a December 2025 AARP poll pointed to “cost of living.” Related issues such as health care, taxes, jobs and Social Security and Medicare also registered as concerning. Older voters were actually less pessimistic on the economy than younger ones—but it still ranked as their top concern.

Asked whether they felt more or less financially secure than they had a year earlier, more people in every age group reported feeling “much less” or “somewhat less” secure than the number who felt “much more” or “somewhat more” secure. Among those 65-plus, the results in the AARP poll were 39 percent less secure, 26 percent more.

Not just pocketbooks are at play in this election, of course. “Threats to democracy,” “political division” and “immigration” were top issues for both old and young, and older voters gave greater weight to those concerns than younger ones. Still, “the economy drives everything,” says John Hishta, AARP senior vice president of campaigns. From the cost of groceries to utilities, housing and prescription drugs, paying bills is a major concern.

“People don’t think that they’re doing well right now, for the most part,” Hishta adds.

For Lillian Lee, 75, a retired elementary school principal and AARP volunteer, such feelings help motivate her political participation. “I know I’ll never be a billionaire, but I do want to make sure that I am comfortable—that I don’t have to worry about having enough money to pay the bills or buy groceries,” says the Raleigh, North Carolina, resident.

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The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Chris Adams is director of state news for the AARP Bulletin. He previously worked as a reporter and editor at the McClatchy Washington Bureau, The Wall Street Journal and The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.