2018 Mid-Term Election State Voter Surveys

Americans over the age of 50 consistently show up more often to vote compared to younger voters. Given the influence this powerful voting bloc will likely have on the 2018 mid-term elections, AARP commissioned a series of state and congressional district surveys conducted between August and September 2018 among voters ages 50 and older.  These surveys assessed what would be on their minds when they cast their ballots this fall and which candidates they would be backing.

Political divisiveness is a top concern with voters age 50+, and many disapprove of the job performances of both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. While voters age 50+ generally see the U.S. economy getting stronger, this optimism is not reflected in their own financial security with sizable numbers feeling like they are not getting ahead. Voters see both Social Security and Medicare as being very important to the health and financial stability of older adults and report that these are two issues that will be top of mind for them when they go to the polls in November.

Telephone interviews were conducted with at least 800 registered voters in each state by landline (70%) and cell phone (30%) between 8/16/18 and 9/20/18. All data have been weighted by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and geographic distribution according to July 2018 State Voter Registration Database statistics. For more information contact Kate Bridges at kbridges@aarp.org. For media inquiries contact media@aarp.org.

Insights from Voters Age 50+ by State: (PDF)

• Connecticut:   Report   Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
• Indiana:   Report   Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
• Maine:   Report  Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
• Michigan:   Report  Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
• Minnesota:   Report   Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
• Missouri:   Report   Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
  • Black/African American Voters:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Montana:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Nevada:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• North Dakota:  Report  Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
• Tennessee:  Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
  • Black/African American Voters:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• West Virginia:  Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire

Insights from Voters Age 50+ by Congressional District: (PDF)

• California CD-10:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
  • Hispanic/Latino Voters:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• California CD-48:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
  • Hispanic/Latino Voters:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Colorado CD-6:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
  • Hispanic/Latino Voters:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Illinois CD-6:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Iowa CD-1:  Report  Methodology  Annotated Questionnaire
  
• New Jersey CD-5:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• New Jersey CD-7:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• New York CD-19:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• New York CD-22:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Texas CD-7:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
  • Hispanic/Latino Voters:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
    
• Virginia CD-10:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire
• Washington CD-8:   Report   Methodology   Annotated Questionnaire