Which economic issues drive older Arizonans to the polls?

Older Arizona voters are expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming presidential election. In June, AARP Arizona conducted a voter survey, where they found that some of the most important issues to Arizonans over 50 are economic issues. Inflation, the economy and Social Security are defining concerns for 54% of those 50 and over.

Dennis Hoffman, an economist from the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss what issues are driving voters who are in their 50s to the polls.

One issue Hoffman highlighted was inflation, which has “taken its toll,” Hoffman said. “Goods and services cost more than they did four or five years ago.”

Another issue highlighted was housing availability. “The root of the housing issue is too much money chasing too little houses,” Hoffman said.

Another pertinent issue among Arizonans aged 50 and over is prescription drug prices. 62% of Arizonans said it was important and 30% said it was very important. “If they believe one candidate is going to do a better job than the other, it will certainly get them moving,” Hoffman said.

When it comes to social security, 67% of Arizonans said it was important to them in terms of voting.

“It is fixable,” Hoffman said. “The easiest fix is raising the cap on social security for those who earn more than $170,000 a year. If you earn more than $170,000 approximately, you don’t pay into social security. So if you raise that cap, more and more high-income people will pay in, and you’ll be able to fund social security.”