What’s Motivating Older Voters in 2026?

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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Economic concerns drive voting: What’s on the minds of older voters?

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.

“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 for older voters and their families.

Join Our Fight to Make Sure Your Vote Counts

AARP is a nonpartisan organization that never supports or opposes candidates for office. We believe the right to vote is fundamental and we advocate for policies ensuring that Americans 50 and older can exercise that right without unnecessary barriers. Here's what you can do to help:

• Pledge to vote for candidates in 2026 who will protect and strengthen Social Security and support family caregivers.
• Come to our free, local events in Maine: AARP Maine staff and volunteers will be hosting and participating in events over the next few months where we will talk with fellow Mainers about the importance of protecting Social Security and supporting family caregivers. 
  • Get the Scoop on Social Security - Receive a free ice cream and ‘get the scoop’ on the latest information about the Social Security program and what AARP is doing to protect it for generations to come. 
    • Presque Isle, August 20th - Register Here
• Empowering Voters, Supporting Caregivers, Protecting Social Security: Join us to write letters to candidates seeking election to the Maine State House, encouraging them to prioritize issues that matter most to older adults and family caregivers.
  • Halowell, September 11, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM - Register Here
• Check our events hub frequently – at aarp.org/eventsME you can find all the details about all our upcoming events including fun, social events such as our coffees, on taps, free movie nights, fraud watch workshops and more.
• Sign up to become an AARP activist for the latest news and alerts on issues you care about.
• Learn more about voting in Maine this year.
• AARP is your fierce defender on the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today.

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 our 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.

Note: Parts of this article appeared on aarp.org prior to being published on aarp.org/me.

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