Nearly Unanimous, Voters Say Cost of Living, Taxes and Economy Are ‘Very Important’ to Their Vote

New Jersey voters are most likely to support candidates who ensure affordable utility rates, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll in collaboration with AARP

Voters are nearly unanimous in their concern over how important kitchen table issues are to their vote this election - including voters ages 50 and older, according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in collaboration with AARP New Jersey.

Nearly all likely voters consider affordability of property taxes (86% "very important," 11% "somewhat important"), jobs and the economy (82% "very," 15% "somewhat"), affordability of utility rates (81% "very," 16% "somewhat"), and prices rising faster than their income (87% "very," 9% "somewhat") important to their vote to some extent.

More than 9 in 10 voters ages 50 and older say all of these issues are important to their vote.

"Older voters in New Jersey consistently show up at the polls and decide elections," said Chris Widelo, state director of AARP New Jersey. "As this poll shows, affordability - especially when it comes to property taxes - remains a key issue for this voting bloc. These voters have shown time and again that they are looking for candidates with strong plans to address the rising cost of living in New Jersey."

Nearly all likely voters say access to quality and affordable health care (73% "very," 19% "somewhat") is also important to their vote. More than 8 in 10 likewise say the same about making housing more affordable for all income levels (67% "very," 20% "somewhat") and improving the response plan for natural disasters (47% "very," 39% "somewhat").

Voters who are 65 or older are especially passionate about health care - nearly all say access to quality, affordable health care is important to their vote (97%). Nine in 10 voters ages 50 to 64 say the same (90%). Eighty-three percent of voters 50 to 64 and 92% of likely voters 65 and older say a candidate's stance on improving the response plan for natural disasters is important to their vote.

The state's youngest and oldest voters consider a candidate's position on housing affordability more important to their vote than those in between. Ninety-two percent of voters ages 18 to 34 and 92% of those 65 and older say this is "very" or "somewhat" important to their vote.

"Affordability concerns take centerstage in this election," said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Pollingat Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "Voters across the board have continually expressed how important this issue is to them and maintain they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who will address affordability and cost of living in different aspects of life in New Jersey."

When it comes to issues particularly affecting older residents, 86% of all voters each say providing support for family caregivers (48% "very," 38% "somewhat") is important at some level for when they cast their vote on Election Day. Ninety percent say the same about ensuring older residents have access to supportive services so they can stay in their homes as they age (64% "very," 26% "somewhat"), and 81% say the same about improving quality standards in nursing homes (49% "very," 32% "somewhat").

Eighty-five percent of voters 65 and older and 93% of those 50 to 64 say a candidate's position on providing support for family caregivers is important to their vote. Nearly all voters 65 and older consider candidate positions on supportive services for older residents so they can remain in their homes as they age (98%); 92% of those 50 to 64 agree.

Voters 65 and older are the most likely age cohort to say improving nursing home quality standards is important to their vote (91%), followed by voters 50 to 64 (81%).

Majorities of all voters regardless of partisanship, gender, race and ethnicity, age, income and education feel all of the above actions are important to their vote, though to varying degrees.

Whether voters are more or less likely to vote for a gubernatorial candidate based on certain actions is largely aligned with the issues they find important.

Ninety-five percent of likely voters are more likely to vote for a candidate who works to ensure utility rates are affordable (71% "much more," 24% "somewhat more"). Nearly all voters 50 and older - 96% of those 50 to 64 and 95% of those 65 and older - would be more likely to vote for a candidate who worked on utility rate affordability.

Eighty-three percent of voters are more likely to vote for a candidate who works on behalf of older residents to ensure access to quality, affordable health care and supportive services (51% "much," 32% "somewhat") and who improves transportation infrastructure like public transit, highways, bridges, railways, and harbors (51% "much," 32% "somewhat").

A large share of voters ages 50 to 64 and 65 and older would be more likely to vote for a candidate who works to ensure access to quality, affordable health care and supportive services for older residents (86% and 92%, respectively) and who improves transit infrastructure (82% and 89%).

About 8 in 10 say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports policies that help family caregivers provide care to their older family members and loved ones (42% "much," 39% "somewhat"); supports funding Stay New Jersey, a property tax relief program for older homeowners (53% "much," 27% "somewhat"); and protects funding for Medicaid to ensure long-term care services are available for low-income seniors and people with disabilities (56% "much," 23% "somewhat").

Voters 65 and older are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports family caregiver policies (91%) and protects funding for Medicare (90%) than those 64 and younger, though majorities of all age cohorts would be more likely to vote for a candidate with this platform. Likelihood of voting for a candidate who supports funding Stay New Jersey increases as age increases. Eighty-four percent of those 50 to 64 and 92% of those 65 and older would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the program.

Seventy-three percent are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports affordable housing options (50% "much," 23% "somewhat").

Again, a candidate's position on housing most impacts likelihood of voting among the state's youngest and oldest voters. Eighty-one percent of voters 18 to 34 and 84% of voters 65 and older are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports affordable housing options.

Forty-seven percent of likely voters say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports homeowners creating accessory dwelling units (22% "much," 25% "somewhat"); with regards to this action, 25% say it would have no impact on their vote either way and 14% are unsure.

Voters 65 and older are more likely than younger voters to vote for a candidate who supports homeowners creating accessory dwelling units (63%).

Results are from a statewide poll of 795 voters contacted via live calling and texting from Oct. 3 to Oct. 17. This likely voter sample has a margin of error of +/- 4.7 percentage points.