Affordability, Social Security and health costs loom large as highly motivated Granite Staters age 50-plus prepare to vote
CONCORD, N.H. – AARP New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College today released new polling showing the influential role voters age 50 and older are positioned to play in New Hampshire’s 2026 U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races, while highlighting the economic and quality-of-life issues shaping their votes.
New Hampshire’s older voters are highly engaged. Ninety-seven percent of likely voters age 50-plus say they will definitely vote in the 2026 general election, and 88% rate themselves a 10 out of 10 on motivation to vote, compared with 69% of voters under 50.
“Older voters are a critical bloc that candidates up and down the ballot should be focused on,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer. “New Hampshire’s 50+ voters are looking for leaders who can tackle the issues affecting their financial security and quality of life. Candidates looking to gain an edge should address the things these voters care about, from prescription drug costs to affordable housing.”
The survey finds competitive dynamics at the top of the New Hampshire ballot:
- U.S. Senate: Chris Pappas leads John E. Sununu 51% to 44% statewide. Among voters age 50-plus, the race is nearly even, with Pappas at 49% and Sununu at 48%.
- Governor: Kelly Ayotte leads Cinde Warmington 52% to 45% statewide. Among voters age 50-plus, Ayotte leads 57% to 40%.
“Voters 50 and older decide elections, and candidates must address their priorities,” said AARP New Hampshire State Director Christina FitzPatrick. “With affordability a top concern for New Hampshire residents this year, federal candidates should tell voters how they will protect and strengthen Social Security and ensure that everyone is able to age with dignity and purpose.”
“These results show an electorate that is highly motivated to vote, but also deeply concerned about the country’s direction and its own financial well-being. While those concerns vary across age groups, political parties, and gender, the overall picture is clear: voters are engaged and paying close attention as they look toward the election,” said Neil Levesque, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College.
Affordability and financial security emerge as central concerns. Among all likely voters, rising prices and affordability rank first when respondents’ first and second issue choices are combined, at 50%, followed by threats to democracy at 43% and taxes, government spending and debt at 26%. Among voters age 50-plus, 57% say they are worried about their personal financial situation. Health care is their leading price concern at 39%, followed by groceries at 36%, gasoline at 33%, utilities at 30% and housing at 27%.
The poll also shows broad concern among older Granite Staters about Social Security, health care, prescription drug costs and aging independently:
- 98% of voters age 50-plus say Social Security is important when deciding their vote; 68% say it is or will be a major source of household income.
- 96% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who makes sure workers receive the Social Security they paid into and earned through a lifetime of work.
- 89% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who expands Medicare’s ability to negotiate prescription drug prices.
- 94% say policies that help older adults live independently at home as they age are important when deciding their vote.
- 90% say it is important for New Hampshire elected officials to make changes to reduce the number of Granite Staters who lose money to fraud and scams; 87% say increasing the supply of affordable housing is important.
AARP commissioned the New Hampshire Institute of Politics to conduct the survey of likely New Hampshire voters. The Institute interviewed 1,042 likely voters statewide, including an oversample of voters age 50 and older. The survey was conducted September 28–29, 2026. The margin of sampling error for the statewide sample is ±3.0 percentage points.
View the full survey results at www.aarp.org/nh2026voterpoll and more information about the poll at www.aarp.org/NHpoll.
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About AARP New Hampshire
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 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 Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. To learn more about AARP New Hampshire, visit www.aarp.org/nh.
About the New Hampshire Institute of Politics
Founded in 2001, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College provides a nonpartisan forum for discussion and debate. It seeks to develop programming, and to foster scholarship and dialogue, encompassing a diverse range of political topics, opinions and issues. The Institute serves as a resource for students, scholars, politicians, and the general public.