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Chicago 2023 Mayoral Election Survey: Insights of Voters Age 50+

Chicago voters want a candidate who is strong on crime, jobs, and essential services.

Chicago voters 50 and over say that a mayoral candidate's position crime and economic issues will sway their vote in the 2023 election. Older voters are so concerned about these issues that a nearly nine in ten say they have considered leaving the city for a safer community.

spinner image Aerial panoramic cityscape of Downtown Chicago with the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Chicago voters also cited other issues that affect their quality of life, including essential services for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families; health care; transportation; and affordable housing. 

Key Findings

  • Nine in ten (88%) Chicago voters age 50-plus have considered leaving the city of Chicago in the past year to live in a safer community with a lower crime rate.
  • Nine out of ten (89%) say a candidate’s position on crime and violence is "very important" in helping them make their voting decision for the next mayor. 
  • A candidate’s position on jobs and the economy is also a "very important" influence on the voting decisions of nearly three-quarters (72%) of Chicago voters age 50-plus.
  • At least seven in ten Chicago voters age 50-plus say their vote would be greatly impacted by a candidate’s position on essential services for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families; access to quality health care; access to easy and safe transportation options; and affordable housing for all residents.
  • Most (86%) Chicago 50-plus voters say they will vote in the upcoming mayoral election in February 2023. 

Methodology

Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish between November 9 and 20, 2022, reaching both landline and mobile phones. The data are weighted by age and gender, race/ethnicity, and AARP membership.

For more information, contact Joanne Binette at jbinette@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.


Suggested Citation:

Binette, Joanne. Chicago Mayoral Election Survey: Insights of Chicago Voters Age 50+ on the 2023 Mayoral Race. Washington, DC: AARP Research, January 2023. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00579.001