New AARP Poll: Safety and the Economy are motivating San Antonio voters 50-Plus

AARP Texas released a new poll showing that addressing crime and safety in the city and the economic pressure many face amid inflation are top priorities that San Antonio voters 50-plus want the next mayor to address.

An overwhelming majority of voters 50-plus view the economy and public safety as top election priorities, with 88 percent saying reducing crime is very important and 80 percent saying addressing jobs and the economy is very important. These are also the issues most likely to influence voting behavior at the ballot box, with 74 percent of San Antonio voters aged 50-plus saying they’re much more likely to vote for a candidate for mayor who advocated for policies that would ensure that every San Antonio neighborhood is safe for all residents.

"Candidates running for mayor must address the concerns of San Antonio’s older residents, like economic stability, safety and seriously considering the opinions of older adults and the issues that affect them if they hope to secure victory," said Lisa Rodriguez, Senior Director of Community Strategy for AARP Texas. Rodriguez points to elder abuse, fraud, and the rising cost of groceries and utilities, as concerns they have heard in their work with older San Antonians. "This demographic group votes consistently and expects elected officials to prioritize their needs." Rodriguez noted that across the last five city elections from 2015 through 2023, the turnout for San Antonio registered voters aged 50-plus averaged 73 percent.

Older voters will likely come out in substantial numbers to vote in the 2025 San Antonio mayoral election, with 88 percent of surveyed registered voters 50-plus saying they are likely to vote in the general election for San Antonio Mayor to be held on May 3, 2025. Given the powerful influence of these older voters, AARP Texas in San Antonio commissioned a survey of 800 registered voters aged 50 and older in San Antonio to assess issues critical to voters and identify the areas that voters want addressed by the city's next leader.

Other key takeaways from the poll:
· Eighty-one percent of voters 50-plus said a candidate’s position on prices rising faster than incomes is very important in their voting decision for the next mayor of San Antonio.

· Utility costs are also top priorities, with 80 percent of San Antonio voters 50-plus indicating that the cost of utilities is very important for the future mayor to consider.

· One in three voters 50-plus are struggling to keep up or are falling behind financially; only 32 percent of those still working or looking for work are very or extremely confident they will be able to retire in the future.

· Safe, walkable communities are also top priorities, with 81 percent of San Antonio voters 50-plus indicating that ensuring streets, sidewalks, and intersections are well-lit and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and those using wheelchairs, is very important for the future mayor to consider - and 68 percent of voters 50-plus are much more likely to vote for a candidate that will work to ensure that every San Antonio neighborhood is safe for all residents.

· Three in 10 voters 50-plus have considered moving in the past year, primarily due to high property taxes, the high cost of living, wanting more independence or safety concerns.

· Eighty percent say it is very important that the subsequent mayor work to bring accessible and affordable health care and support services for older adults and special transportation services like VIA Link to the entire community.

Runoff Election Mayoral Forum sponsored by AARP
AARP Texas is hosting a candidate forum with the final two contenders who make the runoff election. The forum is part of AARP’s larger initiative to ensure that older adults are well-represented, and their concerns are prioritized by the next mayor. The forum takes place on Wednesday, May 14, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at the Whitley Event Center, 285 Oblate Dr., on the Oblate School of Theology campus. AARP recently met with several mayoral candidates, who confirmed their attendance at the forum if they are in the runoff election.