She’s the Difference: New Survey Explores Priorities of 50+ Women Voters

Women age 50 and up were a major force in the 2018 midterms, helping swing the House majority. In 39 Congressional districts that went from red to blue last year, an AARP survey found that older women favored Democratic candidates by 12 points while older men swung Republican by a narrower margin. And, judging by the results of a national survey that AARP just conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll, they will play a crucial role next year.



This poll is the first in our “She’s the Difference” series that will run throughout the 2020 cycle. Our goal was to unpack and better understand the issues that matter most to women 50+ as we head into the 2020 election.



Older women aren’t a monolith, and they’re not a lock for either party. Thanks to this survey, we’re shedding light on this important, complex demographic. For example . . .



Politicians, pollsters, and pundits alike know that women age 50 and up were a major force in the 2018 midterms. We now know they will play a critical role in the 2020 campaign cycle.

• Ninety-five percent of women 50+ are likely to vote in the 2020 presidential election
• Nearly seven in 10 older women haven’t decided who they will vote for in 2020

We also learned that affordable healthcare is older women’s #1 concern . . . but not only for themselves – for the world they will leave behind.


Many older women continue to struggle with the cost of healthcare, and it will be their top-of-mind issue as they go to the polls.

• Nearly 3 in 10 have had to skip medical care because it was too expensive.
• Nearly 4 in 10 cannot afford to pay for their healthcare.
• Nearly 7 in 10 feel older people pay too much for healthcare compared to others.

But it’s not just a personal issue. Healthcare is so important to 50+ women voters that when asked what type of world they want to leave future generations, affordable healthcare was the #1 priority – even higher than peace, hunger, racial equality, and climate change.


Women 50+ give our country’s leaders failing grades on solving the issues that matter most to them and their families.

Issues that received the highest percentages of an “F” grade from older women are:

• The high costs of healthcare & prescription drugs (46%)
• The opioid epidemic (36%)
• Prices rising faster than income (34%)
• College affordability and student debt (32%)
• Future of the Social Security system (30%)

When it comes to presidential candidates, older women are placing a premium on candidates with experience and integrity.



Nearly half of women voters 50+ (45%) would prefer an experienced candidate over one that brings fresh perspective (32%). Additionally, “ethical” and “trustworthy” are top qualities 50+ women think are most important for leaders.



In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be digging deeper into the data, analyzing key demographics within the older women group and taking a closer look at top-of-mind issues like healthcare and the economy. We are also fielding additional surveys in the early caucus and primary states as well as upcoming 2020 battlegrounds. So, stay tuned for more information about this important voting bloc!

Nancy LeaMond is the chief advocacy and engagement officer for AARP, widely seen as one of the most powerful advocacy organizations. Leading its government affairs and legislative campaigns, she has the responsibility of driving the organization’s social mission on behalf of Americans 50-plus and their families. She also manages public education, volunteerism, multicultural outreach and engagement, and she directs major AARP initiatives that include supporting family caregivers through advocacy, education and innovative programs, and expanding AARP’s local footprint in communities across the country.