Maine Voters 50+ Could Help Decide Closely Watched 2026 Races

A new AARP Maine voter survey finds that voters age 50 and older could play a major role in the state’s 2026 elections. Eighty-seven percent of voters 50-plus rate their motivation to vote as a 10 out of 10, compared with 73% of voters under age 50. In the U.S. Senate race, Troy Jackson leads Susan Collins among all likely voters, 50% to 47%, with 3% supporting another candidate or undecided. Among voters 50-plus, Collins leads 53% to 44%. 

In the governor’s race, Hannah Pingree leads Bobby Charles among all likely voters, 52% to 39%, with Rick Bennett receiving 6%, and 3% supporting another candidate or undecided. Among voters 50-plus, Pingree leads Charles 49% to 42%, while Bennett receives 6%. 

The survey shows that financial security and health-related issues are central to voting decisions among voters 50-plus. Eighty-one percent say Social Security is important when deciding their vote, while 80% say the cost of health care is important and 78% say Medicare is important. The survey also finds that 93% are more likely to support a candidate who would make sure workers receive the Social Security benefits they earned, and 84% are more likely to support a candidate who would expand Medicare’s ability to negotiate prescription drug prices. 

Affordability is the top issue for Maine voters 50-plus, followed by threats to democracy, then immigration. Gasoline and groceries are the leading concerns about rising prices and affordability among Maine voters overall, followed by utilities and health care. Utilities are a higher concern in Maine than in other battleground states AARP surveyed during this polling series. 

The survey also highlights the effect of electricity costs on older voters. Nearly half (47%) of voters 50-plus say rising electricity costs have forced them to cut back on other essentials. Ninety-seven percent say it is important for elected officials to work to ensure utility costs are affordable, especially for Mainers living on a fixed income, including 85% who say this is very important. 

The findings show strong interest in policies that help older Mainers live independently and support family caregivers. Ninety-four percent of voters 50-plus say it is important for elected officials to increase home- and community-based services so older Mainers can live independently at home as they age. Among voters 50-plus, 76% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who provides assistance to unpaid family caregivers, 73% say the same about a caregiver tax credit, and 68% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who backs paid leave for unpaid family caregivers. 

Sixty percent of Maine voters age 50-plus say Social Security is currently or will be a major source of household income. The survey also finds that 52% of voters 50-plus identify as current or former family caregivers, underscoring the relevance of retirement security, independent aging, and caregiving issues for the state’s older electorate. 

Methodology 

AARP commissioned the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward (R) and Impact Research (D) to survey Maine voters. The survey interviewed 982 likely voters statewide from September 20 to 22, 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 Maine voter list. Due to rounding, results may not always total 100%. The source materials do not include a separate weighting statement.

For more information, contact Kate Bridges at kbridges@aarp.org. For Maine media inquiries, contact Jane Margesson at jmargesson@aarp.org. For national media inquiries, contact AARP External Relations at media@aarp.org.