This past week, I had the opportunity to join many of you at this year’s JACL National Convention in Philadelphia! I really enjoyed the co-hosted programming with OCA — Asian Pacific American Advocates and APIAVote, many of which focused on getting out the vote. This was very fitting for this year’s theme, “Looking Into the Future Together.”
Voters 50+ are the majority of voters in every election, and they are stretched to the limit. They want to see politicians address their day-to-day challenges like caring for their loved ones and protecting their hard-earned Social Security. That’s why AARP is fighting to inform voters that AARP provides trusted, up-to-date information on when, where and how to vote in the 2024 elections so Americans can make their voices heard.
How to Vote in Your State
Voting regulations vary from state to state, and many have changed since the last presidential election cycle in 2020. AARP’s 53 state and U.S. territory voting guides can help you navigate voting rules and regulations as they evolve.
AARP offers nationwide voters numerous resources to help inform them about the 2024 elections. (Photo: AARP)
They provide information on how to register to vote in your state, whether absentee voting is offered and if you should bring your ID to the polls. These guides include state-specific deadlines and where to find resources. To find information about how to vote in your state, visit www.aarp.org/electionguides. All you have to do is click on your state or territory to learn more.
Why Your Vote Matters
I appreciate those of you who stopped by the AARP table during the convention’s Community Fair and shared with me about your caregiving experiences. AARP is mobilizing America’s over 48 million family caregivers — 1 in 5 voters — to fight for common sense solutions that will save them time and money and get them more support.
Family caregivers are the backbone of a broken long-term care system, helping with everything from buying groceries to managing medications to bathing and dressing — often putting their finances and jobs at risk.
They provide over $600 billion in unpaid labor each year, saving taxpayers billions and keeping loved ones at home and out of costly nursing homes. Both parties have a big opportunity to win these voters. Caregivers vote, and they can make the difference in a close election.
AARP will also continue to fight to protect Social Security. AARP knows you work hard and pay into Social Security, so it’s only fair for you to expect to get the money you’ve earned. If Washington doesn’t take action in the next 10 years to protect and save Social Security, it could be cut by 20 percent, an average of $4,000 a year.
AARP is urging Congress to reach a bipartisan solution to protect Social Security for generations to come. To learn more about what AARP is doing to strengthen Social Security and what to consider during the upcoming elections, go to https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-2024/election-issue-social-security.html.
AARP is committed to giving voters in every state the information they need to cast a ballot. AARP is working to make sure all voters, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voters, have the information they need to vote in the 2024 elections.
For additional voter resources, visit www.aarp.org/vote.
Scott Tanaka is a member of the JACL Washington, D.C., chapter and is a policy, research and international affairs adviser at AARP.
