Seniors' voter turnout has been the most reliable in every presidential election for decades, outpacing younger voters. This election cycle will be no different, as age will play another major factor in the 2024 presidential election if a rematch occurs between the oldest candidates President Joe Biden, 80, and former President Donald Trump, 77.
Biden and Trump nearly tied among older voters, 45% to 46%, respectively, according to a poll from the American Association of Retired Persons, known as AARP.
“Voters 50-plus are the key to winning and losing elections — and they show up,” John Anzalone, a veteran Democratic pollster from Impact Research, said.
Although seniors 65 and older have not widely supported a Democratic presidential candidate since Al Gore in 2000, Biden did surprisingly well among older voters in the 2020 election. Trump narrowly led over Biden in the election among older voters. Biden won over voters under 30 with more than a 20-point margin, according to the Pew Research Center.
“We know that voters age 50-plus will make up the majority of the electorate in 2024,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer, said. “The fact that this group is divided shows that no one running for office should take them for granted or write them off. Candidates who want to win need to connect with them and address their concerns.”
Voters are concerned about Biden's age. Thirty-seven percent of Democratic and independent voters believe Biden's age makes them less likely to vote for him, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll. A majority of people believe a president can be too old to hold office, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll.
Older voters continue to favor the Republican Party, with 48% of voters 50-plus saying they prefer a GOP candidate, while only 40% would support a Democratic candidate. Voters between the ages 50 to 64 are more likely to vote along Republican lines, with 52% of the age range supporting a GOP candidate compared to 35% supporting Democrats. However, voters narrowly favor Democrats to Republicans, 46% to 43%.