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Poll: Older Arizona voters will be decisive in this year's election

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(Arizona News Connection) Arizona voters 50 and older are "extremely motivated" to vote in next month's election, now less than 20 days away. And while most have already made up their minds on who they're supporting, a new AARP Arizona poll shows 12 percent of voters 50 years and older are still undecided.

There are various highly contested races up and down the ballot. Dana Marie Kennedy, state director of AARP Arizona, says candidates should ensure they know what is driving older voters to the polls.

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"They want to make sure that Social Security, as well as economic security, is addressed," Kennedy said. "We were also asking about family caregiving, and voters said that they would make up their mind based on if candidates talked about how they would support them to be able to continue to do what they want to do."

But the poll found that among older, ticket-splitting swing voters, Trump does hold a nine-point lead over Vice President Kamala Harris. Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego holds a 30-point lead over GOP candidate Kari Lake. Kennedy says Arizona voters 50 and older are the largest voting bloc and could help tip the scale for any candidate this election.

Immigration and border security are considered the most important issues as Arizonans decide who to vote for. That issue is followed up by concerns surrounding the economy, jobs and inflation. Kennedy said their polling found one thing is certain: Older voters are enthusiastic to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.

"Ten out of 10 are excited to cast a ballot," she added. "I think is really significant number, and I think that the other thing is older women voters, they're far from a monolithic group."

The poll found Harris is up six points with women voters overall, but women over age 50 still favor Trump by three points. Kennedy said older women voters are worried about kitchen-table issues like housing and utility costs, and the cost of prescription drugs.