Voters 50+ Accounted for Nearly 90% of Suffolk & 80% of Nassau Voters in June Primaries: New Data

Long Island’s Most Powerful Voting Bloc Says Protecting Social Security & Medicare, Helping People Age at Home are Strong Motivators

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Voters age 50 and up accounted for nearly 90% of Suffolk County voters in the June 28 primary and nearly 80% of Nassau County voters, according to an analysis of voter records from the two counties’ boards of elections by Gotham Government Relations LLC.

Strong voter participation among 50+ voters is a characteristic shared by members of both major political parties, according to the new data, commissioned by AARP New York.

And the results from the most recent voting in June are consistent with the past three elections: while 50+ voters make up slightly over 50% of Suffolk County’s registered voters, they accounted for 76.7% of those who actually voted in the 2020 Presidential election (208,562/ 271,842), 84% in the 2021 general election (113,816/ 135,479 or 84.0%) and 84.6% in the 2019 general election (109,999/ 130,050).

The numbers are similar in Nassau County, where 50+ voters make up only 57.1% (558,356 of 977,371) of registered voters but accounted for 81.8% (146,724 of 179,409) of those who actually voted in all of the last three general elections, in 2021, 2020 and 2019.

“Voters 50+ consistently show up to the polls in much greater numbers than their younger counterparts, and on Long Island voters confirmed this – and then some,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “This extremely powerful voting bloc has made it clear that key issues like protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare and supporting people to live in their own homes with independence and dignity as long as possible are powerful motivators when they vote. It is crystal clear that candidates who want to win must pay attention to issues that matter to 50+ voters.

“The 50+ are our most powerful voters – and they will be the deciders in the 2022 elections,” Finkel added.

In the last congressional midterm general election in 2018, New Yorkers age 50 and over accounted for just under 60% of those who actually voted, though the 50+ typically account for a higher percentage of voters in primary elections.

New York is holding U.S. House and State Senate primaries next Tuesday, August 23; early voting in those races began this week.

AARP is fighting for voters 50+ to make their voices heard on the issues that matter – especially with rising prices, people struggling to pay for groceries and gas, dealing with the pandemic, and retirement savings in a crisis, including:

• Fighting to protect and strengthen the Social Security benefits Americans have paid into and earned through years of hard work;
• Urging Congress to protect and improve Medicare benefits.
• Fighting to lower prescription drug prices – including passage by Congress last week of legislation letting Medicare negotiate lower drug prices and capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs;
• Fighting for family caregivers who risk their careers and financial futures to care for parents, spouses, and other loved ones;
• Fighting for older Americans who want to live independently at home and not be forced into subpar nursing homes;
• Fighting for Americans to access the health care they need, especially those struggling financially;
• Fighting to make sure every worker has a chance to save the money they need to take control of their future;
• Fighting to make sure voters 50+ in rural communities can get the health care they need and stay connected to work and family.

AARP is calling on candidates to propose solutions to address these and other challenges.

AARP is strictly non-partisan, and does not endorse candidates, does not contribute to candidates’ campaigns, and does not have a political action committee.

Follow us on Twitter: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York.

About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

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