"Learn About AARP's 2024 Presidential Election Information"

AARP's Mission and Role in the 2024 Election

AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons, represents over 37 million members across the United States and stands as one of the nation's most influential advocacy organizations. Founded in 1958, AARP has consistently positioned itself as a nonpartisan organization dedicated to addressing issues that matter to Americans aged 50 and older. During election cycles, AARP's role extends beyond simple voter education—the organization serves as a comprehensive resource hub connecting citizens with information about candidates' positions on issues directly affecting older adults and their families.

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For the 2024 presidential election, AARP expanded its nonpartisan initiatives significantly. The organization explicitly committed to helping voters understand where candidates stand on healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, prescription drug costs, and long-term care—issues that consistently rank as top priorities for AARP's membership. This commitment reflects AARP's foundational principle that voters deserve clear, unbiased information to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

AARP's nonpartisan approach means the organization does not endorse candidates or political parties. Instead, AARP focuses on presenting factual information about candidate positions, policy proposals, and relevant voting information. This neutrality has allowed AARP to maintain credibility with members across the political spectrum while ensuring that voting-age Americans can access reliable information regardless of their political affiliation.

The organization's 2024 election efforts included significant investments in digital platforms, town halls, and community events. AARP worked to ensure that seniors and their families could access information through multiple channels—whether through their website, local AARP chapters, or direct mail communications. Understanding AARP's nonpartisan mission helps voters appreciate the organization's role as a trusted information source during election seasons.

Practical Takeaway: Visit AARP.org/election or contact your local AARP chapter to access nonpartisan voter guides and candidate position statements for federal, state, and local races in your area.

Key Issues AARP Highlighted for Voters in 2024

AARP identified six primary issue areas that significantly impact Americans aged 50 and older, making these central focus points for the 2024 election cycle. These issues emerged from extensive member surveys and national polling data showing consistent concern among older Americans and their families. Social Security remained the top issue, with 94% of AARP members indicating that protecting and strengthening Social Security was critically important to them. Medicare followed closely, with concerns about prescription drug costs, coverage options, and program sustainability dominating conversations. Healthcare access and affordability appeared as a third major concern, reflecting the reality that many older adults manage multiple chronic conditions requiring ongoing medical attention and prescription medications.

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Long-term care and caregiving emerged as increasingly important issues for 2024. Many AARP members provide care to spouses, parents, or other family members, making policies around home care, assisted living, nursing homes, and family leave directly relevant. The organization highlighted how candidates proposed to address the growing demand for long-term care services while managing costs for families and government programs. Climate and environmental policies also received attention, recognizing that environmental quality directly impacts the health and quality of life for older adults. Finally, AARP focused on economic security and retirement savings, including topics like pension protection, investment regulation, and workplace age discrimination.

For each issue area, AARP compiled candidate position statements, policy proposals, and voting records where applicable. The organization worked to ensure that voters could understand not only what candidates said they would do, but also their track records on these specific issues. This comprehensive approach helped voters evaluate candidate credibility and consistency on matters affecting their lives and their families' futures.

AARP also connected these national issues to state and local elections, recognizing that many decisions affecting older adults happen at levels beyond the presidency. State legislatures determine Medicaid programs serving low-income seniors, local officials oversee property taxes affecting homeowners on fixed incomes, and various jurisdictions determine public transportation access—critical for seniors who no longer drive.

Practical Takeaway: Review AARP's issue guides before voting to understand candidate positions on Social Security, Medicare, prescription drug pricing, and long-term care—the issues most likely to directly affect your financial security and health.

Accessing AARP's 2024 Voter Resources and Guides

AARP made comprehensive voter resources available through multiple platforms to accommodate different preferences and technological comfort levels. The primary digital hub—AARP.org/election—served as a centralized resource containing candidate comparison tools, issue guides, and state-specific voting information. The website allowed users to enter their home address and receive information about races on their specific ballot, from presidential contests down to local school board elections. This personalized approach proved invaluable for voters seeking information about lesser-known races where candidate information might otherwise be difficult to obtain.

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AARP's candidate comparison tools presented positions side-by-side for major candidates in presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial races. These tools displayed information about candidate positions, policy proposals, and relevant voting records without editorial commentary or endorsements. Users could explore topics like Social Security reform proposals, Medicare expansion plans, prescription drug pricing solutions, and approaches to long-term care. The tools included direct quotes from candidates when available, allowing voters to understand candidates' own words rather than summaries of their positions.

Beyond the website, AARP distributed printed voter guides through direct mail to millions of members. These guides provided essential voting information in an accessible format for members less comfortable with digital resources. AARP also created issue-specific guides focusing deeply on particular topics—for example, a comprehensive guide to prescription drug costs, another addressing Social Security, and guides covering Medicare and healthcare access. These detailed documents could help voters understand complex policy areas before evaluating candidate proposals.

AARP's mobile app and text message systems provided another avenue for accessing voting information. Members could text keywords to receive immediate information about registration deadlines, polling locations, candidate positions, and voting dates. This multi-platform approach acknowledged that Americans access information through varied channels and ensured that technology differences didn't prevent anyone from learning about candidates and issues.

Local AARP chapters organized community forums, candidate debates, and informational sessions bringing candidates together to discuss their positions. These in-person events allowed voters to hear directly from candidates, ask questions, and engage in conversations about issues mattering most to their communities. Many chapters recorded these events and made videos available online for those unable to attend in person.

Practical Takeaway: Start at AARP.org/election to find tools personalized to your location and interests, then supplement with AARP's detailed issue guides and attend local candidate forums when possible to deepen your understanding.

Understanding Social Security and Medicare in the 2024 Campaign

Social Security and Medicare dominated discussions about candidates' approaches to retirement and healthcare security for older Americans. Both programs faced ongoing policy debates, with candidates proposing different solutions to long-term sustainability questions. AARP's 2024 resources helped voters understand these complex proposals and what they might mean for current beneficiaries and future retirees. On Social Security, candidates proposed various approaches ranging from raising the payroll tax cap (currently applied to earnings up to $168,600 in 2024), to adjusting the full retirement age, to means-testing benefits, or to gradually increasing payroll taxes. AARP presented each proposal's potential effects clearly, helping voters understand how different approaches might impact their benefits or those of family members.

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Medicare similarly became a focal point of campaign discussions. Some candidates proposed expanding Medicare to cover additional services like dental, vision, and hearing aids—benefits many older adults lack under current Medicare coverage. Others emphasized controlling costs while maintaining current coverage levels. Still others proposed varying approaches to Part D prescription drug coverage, which had undergone significant changes through recent legislation capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 annually starting in 2025. AARP's resources clarified what these proposals meant in practical terms—how much individuals might save or pay under different scenarios, and which populations might be most affected.

AARP's analysis included important context about current program finances. Social Security's trust funds faced projection that, under current law, they would be insufficient to pay full benefits after 2034 unless Congress acted. Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund faced a similar timeline concern, projected to become insufficient around 2031. These realities meant that the next presidential term would likely involve congressional discussions about program adjustments. Understanding candidates' philosophies about how to address these challenges helped voters make informed decisions about who should guide these important discussions.

The organization also addressed common misconceptions about these programs. Many voters didn't realize that Social Security and Medicare operate differently from typical government programs—Social Security