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Mayors Are The Nation's Least Polarizing, Most Unifying Elected Officials, Say 50+ Voters

So reveals the 2019 AARP 50+ Voter Local Issues Survey

The full results of the survey — a portion of which are depicted in the infographic at the bottom of this page — can be ordered by emailing Livable@AARP.org. A link to a 26 page PDF download will be provided via an automated email response.

Mayors and local government leaders are viewed more favorably by American voters age 50 or older than any other type of elected official — be that person a governor, member of Congress or the president of the United States. 

That finding and others from the 2019 AARP 50+ Voters Local Issues Survey reveal that:

50+ voters want transparency and accountability in government — and they have little appetite for divisive politics or ideology

  • 73% of age 50+ voters are looking for leaders who care about the needs of everyone, no matter their age, race or income

  • 65% want a leader who is transparent about how decisions are made

  • 37% seek a leader who shares their political values

50+ voters are long-term constituents

  • 64% of 50+ voters plan to stay in their current city or town for the rest of their life

  • 85% plan to stay in their current city or town for at least another 10 years

See the Mayors

... of Rochester Hills, Michigan; Columbia, South Carolina; Gary, Indiana, and Boston, Massachusetts,  discussing the important role that voters age 50 or older play in local elections and how communities can best engage older adults. Watch

50+ voters are engaged beyond voting

  • 34% have gotten involved in local community organizations within the last year

  • 24% have attended or spoke at a city or town council meeting in the last year

50+ voters would be much be “much more favorable” to their mayors if they prioritized:

  • Working with businesses and other organizations to support local businesses and create more jobs in the community (71%)

  • Investing in services to help older adults live independently in their homes (64%)

  • Investing in jobs and volunteer opportunities for older adults (55%)

  • Investing more funding in roadwork and related infratstructure to make the community safer for pedestrians and bicyclists (49%)

  • Investing new funding into creating more low- and middle-income housing options (46%)

Page published January 2019


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