5 Questions to ask candidates before you vote

In the upcoming General Election, Virginians will vote for President, U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Whether you are voting early in person, voting absentee, or voting on Election Day, there are five questions your candidates should answer before you cast your ballot:

1. Social Security is a self-financed, off budget program that half of all seniors rely on more for than 50% of their income.  If elected, how will you ensure that current and future Social Security benefits are not cut as part of deficit reduction?
   
2. On average, seniors already spend one out of six dollars on health care. If elected, how will you protect Medicare from benefit cuts, lower health care costs, and ensure seniors continue receiving the affordable health care they have earned?
   
3. Unemployment during the coronavirus crisis reached the highest levels since the Great Depression, and older Americans have been disproportionately affected. If elected, how will you help Americans over the age of 50 recover economically from the effects of the coronavirus?
   
4. Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world. If elected, how will you cut prescription drug prices for all Americans?
   
5. COVID-19 has caused death and suffering for too many older Americans who require long-term care. If elected, how will you make sure seniors can access safe and affordable long-term care at home, as well as in facilities like nursing homes and assisted living?
   

For more national election news, visit aarp.org/election2020.
For information about how to vote safely in Virginia, visit aarp.org/vavotes.