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AARP Alaska Candidate Forum Connects Anchorage Voters with Legislative Candidates
Sixteen Anchorage-area legislative candidates met with voters on Sept. 30, 2026, to discuss issues affecting older Alaskans
AARP
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Sixteen Anchorage-area legislative candidates met one-on-one with voters at AARP Alaska’s Legislative Candidate Community Forum on Sept. 30, 2026, in Anchorage. Eighty-six community members registered for the nonpartisan event, which connected voters with candidates and information to help Alaskans make informed decisions in the 2026 election.
Held at 49th State Brewing's Heritage Theater, the forum allowed voters to speak directly with the candidates running to represent Anchorage districts in the Alaska Legislature. Voters and candidates discussed issues affecting older Alaskans and their families, including senior services, independent living, support for family caregivers, retirement savings opportunities and public employee workforce shortages.
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“Older Alaskans want to know how candidates will address the issues that affect their everyday lives,” said AARP Alaska Communications Director Katie Severin. “This forum gave voters a chance not only to ask candidates questions, but to talk directly with the people seeking to represent them about what matters most.”
At the start of the evening, AARP Alaska presented findings from its 2026 voter poll, which found that Alaska voters age 50 and older are highly motivated to participate in the 2026 election and consider Social Security, rising prices for everyday essentials, and health care costs important issues when deciding how to vote. View the AARP Alaska voter poll results and methodology at AARP.org/ak2026voterpoll.
AARP volunteers and staff helped attendees identify their legislative districts and connect with the appropriate candidates. Participants received candidate photo guides, candidate contact information, questions developed by AARP advocacy volunteers, and additional nonpartisan voting information.
The event was part of AARP Alaska's nonpartisan voter engagement work to help Alaskans learn about their candidates, understand the issues, and participate confidently in the 2026 election.
Find nonpartisan Alaska voting information and learn more about AARP Alaska’s voter engagement work at AARP.org/AKVotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AARP Alaska endorse candidates?
AARP is strictly nonpartisan and always has been. We never endorse or donate to political candidates, political parties or political action committees. The AARP Alaska Legislative Candidate Community Forum was part of AARP Alaska’s nonpartisan voter engagement work to empower voters 50-plus with trusted information to make informed decisions.
What issues matter most to Alaska voters age 50 and older?
Among Alaska voters 50-plus, 78% said Social Security was extremely or very important when deciding how to vote, followed by rising prices for everyday essentials at 77%, health care costs at 74% and Medicare at 70%. Policies that help older adults live independently as they age were extremely or very important to 65% of respondents 50-plus, while 55% said the same about prescription drug costs.
How influential are Alaska voters 50-plus?
Alaska voters age 50 and older could play an influential role in the 2026 election. They are highly motivated to vote, with 87% rating their motivation a 10 out of 10. Among voters age 65 and older, 92% rated their motivation a 10. Twenty-three percent of Alaska voters 50-plus are swing voters.
Where can I register to vote, check my registration status, find early voting locations, apply for an absentee ballot, or learn about ranked-choice voting in Alaska?
Alaska voters can visit AARP Alaska’s voting guide at AARP.org/AKVotes for resources to register to vote, check their registration status, find early voting locations, apply for an absentee ballot, and learn how ranked-choice voting works.
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