Arizona Voters 50+ Poised to Shape Key Statewide Races as Affordability, Social Security, and Health Care Drive Concerns

Arizona voters 50 and older are highly motivated and focused on issues affecting their financial and retirement security. Rising prices, Social Security, health care costs, Medicare, and utility costs rank among their top concerns as they prepare to cast ballots in Arizona’s statewide elections.

A new AARP Arizona voter survey finds that voters 50 and older are expected to play a pivotal role in the state’s 2026 elections. The survey shows that issues affecting financial security and aging are central to voting decisions among this influential electorate. More than 4 in 5 voters 50-plus say Social Security (83%), rising prices for everyday essentials (81%), rising utility costs (79%), and health care costs (79%) are extremely or very important when deciding how to vote. Medicare (76%), policies that help older adults live independently as they age (67%), and prescription drug costs (61%) also rank highly. 

Affordability remains a dominant concern across the electorate. Thirty-seven percent of Arizona voters rank rising prices and affordability among their top two voting issues, making it the most frequently cited issue overall. Groceries are the leading affordability concern, followed by health care costs, gasoline, housing, and utility costs. Among voters 50-plus, health care costs are the second-largest affordability concern after groceries.

The survey also highlights broad support among voters 50-plus for policies related to retirement and financial security. Majorities say they would be more likely to support candidates who protect Social Security benefits, expand Medicare's ability to negotiate prescription drug prices, strengthen protections against fraud, support family caregivers, and help older adults remain independent in their communities. Additionally, 65% of voters 50-plus are concerned about having enough money saved for retirement, and 78% support the creation of a retirement savings program for workers who do not currently have access to one through their employer.

Nearly half (45%) of Arizona voters age 50-plus identify as current, former, or future family caregivers, underscoring the importance of caregiving and independent living issues within the state. A majority (56%) also says Social Security is currently or will be a major source of household income.

Methodology

AARP commissioned the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward (R) and Impact Research (D) to survey Arizona voters. The survey interviewed 913 likely voters statewide from July 26 to 28, 2026. Interviews were conducted via live interviewer on cellphone (40%) and landline (15%), as well as SMS-to-web (45%). The sample was randomly drawn from the Arizona voter list. For more information, contact Kate Bridges at kbridges@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.