The analysis shows that while younger voters may register in large numbers, they are far less likely to participate in lower-salience elections like congressional primaries \u2014 particularly in a district like NY-12, where turnout has historically been driven by older voters with a consistent voting history.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn NY-12 congressional primaries, voters 50 and older turn out at nearly three times the rate of voters under 50 and seven out of every ten voters who show up are 50+,\u201d said Stephen Graves, President of Gotham Polling & Analytics<\/b>. The 2025 mayoral primary didn’t change that, it just was an election with completely different dynamics. June 23 will be decided by the 50+ voters, who always decide these races. Any candidate who doesn’t build a real 50+ strategy is running a campaign that doesn’t match the electorate they’re trying to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report also highlights that the district\u2019s older electorate is both large and highly engaged. Nearly 94,000 Democratic voters in NY-12 are age 65 and older<\/b>, representing one of the most reliable voting blocs in the race.<\/p>\n
AARP New York emphasized that while voters 50+ are diverse in their views, they share common priorities, including protecting Social Security and Medicare, addressing the rising cost of living and supporting family caregivers.<\/p>\n
With early voting expected to account for a significant share of ballots cast, the report notes that older voters have also embraced early voting \u2014 further reinforcing their influence over the outcome.<\/p>\n
The full analysis, The Power of the 50+ Voter in New York\u2019s 12th Congressional District, can be found here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/content\/dam\/aarp\/states\/ny\/voter-50.pdf<\/a> Connect with AARP New York on X: @AARPNY<\/a>, Facebook: AARP New York<\/a> and LinkedIn: AARP New York<\/a><\/p>\n About AARP<\/b><\/p>\n AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 120 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name.\u00a0As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest circulation publications,\u00a0AARP The Magazine\u00a0and\u00a0AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org\/about-aarp\/<\/a>, www.aarp.org\/espa\u00f1o<\/a>l or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspa\u00f1ol and @AARPadvocates on social media.<\/p>\n