AARP Poll: Trump Leads Harris in Tight North Carolina Race

Voters were asked about other statewide races. In the race for governor, 52 percent of voters support Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein, while 42 percent favor Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, whose campaign has been mired in controversy after reports of inappropriate comments he allegedly made on pornographic websites a decade ago. The AARP poll was taken before that information surfaced. 

In the contest for attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson leads Republican Dan Bishop by 4 percentage points among likely voters of all ages, 47 percent to 43 percent.

About one-third of voters 50-plus identify as independent in North Carolina. Polling results indicate some are split-ticket voters, which means they’ll cast their ballot for candidates from different parties, Liszt and Ward say. 

​“There are voters in North Carolina who are in play and are not defining themselves as being Republican or Democrat, which provides an opportunity for really any campaign to reach them,” Ward says. ​

Voters 50-plus enthusiastic to cast their ballot 

Interest in voting this November is high among older adults. Ninety-one percent of voters 50-plus say they’re “extremely motivated to vote,” compared with 85 percent of all voters. 

Among older voters, 55 percent plan to vote early and in person, 36 percent plan to cast their ballot on Election Day, and 6 percent plan to vote absentee. 

AARP (Source: Getty images)

“Simply put, those seeking office need to pay very close attention to what’s important to older North Carolinian voters, as they could very well tip the scale for any candidate this November,” says Michael Olender, state director of AARP North Carolina. 

The majority of voters in North Carolina are worried about the country’s future, the poll found. Sixty-six percent of all voters say the United States is moving in the wrong direction, while 30 percent say it’s going in the right direction. 

The majority of older Black voters in the state are happy with the nation’s trajectory. Sixty-seven percent report the country is moving in the right direction, compared with 29 percent who say it’s heading the wrong way.

Cost of living, Social Security, Medicare among older voters’ top concerns

For voters 50-plus, pocketbook issues are top of mind, with 62 percent worried about their personal financial situation. Among top issues affecting older adults, voters 50-plus ranked Social Security (84 percent), Medicare (78 percent), living independently as they age (73 percent) and utility costs (71 percent) as extremely or very important when deciding which candidate to support.   

“These are all super important issues that paint that backdrop of economic angst voters are feeling,” Ward says. 

AARP (Source: Getty images)

Ninety-four percent of older voters say they’d be more likely to support a candidate who ensures older workers receive their Social Security benefits. Seventy-eight percent say they’d be more likely to support a candidate who protects Social Security from cuts. 

“The issues that matter to seniors are still the issues that are going to decide this election,” Liszt says.

The cost of prescription drug prices is a consideration for many voters 50-plus. Eighty-one percent say they’re more likely to back a member of Congress who supports Medicare negotiating lower drug prices.

“This is really, really important because prescription drugs are something that many people cannot do without,” Olender says. 

Also ranking high on the list for older adults when they make their voting choices in November are immigration and border security (36 percent); the economy and jobs (32 percent); inflation and rising prices (29 percent); and threats to democracy (20 percent). 

Caregiving plays an important role

More than 1 in 4 voters 50-plus say they are a caregiver for someone who is older, ill or has a disability. 

Of those, 35 percent spend 21 or more hours doing so weekly, and 15 percent spend 11 to 20 hours caregiving.

Voters 50-plus support policies that assist caregivers. Seventy-eight percent are more likely to support a candidate who advocates for caregivers helping loved ones live independently at home. Seventy-four percent are more likely to support a candidate who advocates for tax credits for unpaid family caregivers and who provides paid leave for caregivers. 

“All people either know someone who’s a caregiver, they’ve been the recipient of caregiving, or they’re going to be a caregiver within their lifetime.... And unfortunately, many people in Washington do not understand just how heavy of a burden that is,” Olender says. “Voters rightfully expect those seeking office to understand these issues and to help lessen that burden.”