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Older voters and the 2004 election
1School of Medicine, Room WG-43, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. robert.binstock@case.edu
The Gerontologist
|May 30, 2006
Summary
Older Americans do not vote as a bloc, despite campaign policy appeals. Exit poll data reveal older voters distribute their votes similarly to the general electorate, indicating age-specific policies are not primary drivers of their presidential choices.
Area of Science:
- Political Science
- Gerontology
- Sociology
Background:
- Candidates often target older Americans with specific policy proposals.
- Historically, older adults are a significant voting demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze voting patterns of older Americans in U.S. presidential elections.
- To determine the influence of age-related policy issues on older voters' choices.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of U.S. presidential election exit-poll data.
- Comparison of voting proportions between older adults and the general electorate.
Main Results:
- Older voters' distribution mirrors the overall electorate's preferences.
- In 2004, older voters favored George Bush slightly above the national average.
- This pattern suggests age-specific policies are not the main influence.
Conclusions:
- Older Americans do not vote monolithically based on age-related policies.
- Voting behavior of older adults aligns with broader electoral trends.
- Factors beyond specific old-age policies significantly influence presidential vote choices for seniors.
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