WASHINGTON DC–(ENEWSPF)–October 13, 2010. Since 1994, the gap between voters age 45 and older and those under 45 who show up at the polls in a mid-term election has been widening. If the trend holds this November, two-thirds of voters will be age 45-plus, doubling the number of voters under 45, this according to a new analysis of voting trends by AARP out today.
“The impact older voters have on elections is well documented, but the margin of difference between voters older and younger than age 45 continues to widen,” said AARP Senior Vice President Drew Nannis. “When the votes are counted on November 2nd, two of every three voters are expected to be over the age of 45. Certainly, demographics are driving this trend, but regardless, the trend exists and anyone running for elected office would be wise to note who is voting them into office.”
The AARP analysis released today examines turnout patterns of older voters in both Presidential and mid-term elections since 1994. In 1994, older voters represented 56% of those voting. By 2006, older voters represented 65% of those voting. Over this period, the gap of those voting in elections has increased from a +6% to a +16% margin for voters over 45 in Presidential elections and a +12% to +30% margin for voters over 45 in mid-term congressional elections. The complete analysis is available online here: http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-10-2010/voting-behavior-10.html.
The report concludes that, “over time, older Americans have increased their share of the voting electorate in all elections, but for mid-term congressional elections, the trend has been relatively dramatic. If this trend is continued…the number of older voters in the 2010 congressional elections would be twice the number of younger voters.”
Source: aarp.org
