AARP Maine wrapped up their statewide Voter Engagement Tour on Election Night with a Finale Watch Party at Baxter Brewing Company in Lewiston. The Tour began in Bangor with more than 100 local residents in attendance. Over the course of the last four weeks, traveling over 2,400 miles across the state, AARP staff and volunteers engaged with thousands of Mainers from Sanford to Aroostook County through local events and non-partisan community conversations.
The issues of greatest concern during these discussions were financial and health security, with many Mainers expressing particular worry heading into the colder months.
“Especially in our most rural communities, older Maine residents are clearly anxious about making ends meet, having affordable utilities so they can heat their homes and being able to stay healthy in the months ahead,” said Gail Maynard, an AARP Maine volunteer from Woodland. “It was surprising that none of the gubernatorial candidates chose to address the critical issues that older Mainers face during their debates and while they were campaigning,” Maynard said. “We represent the most active voting demographic in the state, yet we heard little about finding solutions to our challenges.”
AARP Maine publicly expressed disappointment at the lack of attention paid to issues of paramount concern to voters 50-plus, particularly among the gubernatorial candidates. Issues regarding caregiving, long-term care, affordable utilities and financial security were largely ignored by the candidates.
