In the June 2024 primary, voters age 50 and over represented 72% of the total turnout, reaffirming their status as the dominant voting bloc in New York State and comprising 4 out of 5 voters in many counties. This trend is consistent with their strong presence in general elections, where adults 50-plus have consistently made up the majority of voters in both midterm and presidential election cycles. Their reliability and consistent participation indicate that they will play an outsized role in the upcoming November 2024 election, shaping key outcomes.Independent voter registration (registrants choosing not to enroll in any party) is growing across all age groups, yet the 50-plus partisans—whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent—remain the most stable in terms of voter registration and participation. The growth of independent voters is particularly notable, suggesting a shift in political affiliations, especially as younger voters increasingly register as independents. However, 50-plus voters continue to demonstrate the
highest turnout rates across all regions, proving to be the state’s most engaged and influential voting segment.
With their high participation rates and substantial numbers, adults age 50 and older are positioned to be the decisive force in the November election. Whether through their continued loyalty to party affiliations or their growing presence among independent voters, this demographic will likely be the key to determining the results of significant races across New York.

Key Observations

1. Voter Participation in General Elections:

Across the four recent general elections (two presidential and two congressional + gubernatorial), the 50-plus
demographic consistently made up the majority of voters across the statewide total of the two major parties and non-
partisan voters. Here are the percentages of voters 50 and older:
2016 Presidential Election: 54.8% of voters.
2018 Midterms: 59.2% of voters.
2020 Presidential Election: 53.6% of voters.
2022 Midterms: 62.5% of voters.

2. Overall Voter Registration:

Total Registered Voters: As of 2024, New York State has 13,150,099 active registered voters.
Gender Distribution: There are over 1 million more women than men in the total voter population (7.12 million
women vs. 6.11 million men).
Age Split: Voter registration is evenly divided between those over and under 50 years old, but older voters (age 50
and older) vote at significantly higher rates than younger voters, especially in non-presidential elections.

3. Age Breakdown by Party:

Republicans: 62% of registered Republicans are age 50 and over.
Democrats and Other parties: Both Democrats and those registered in Other (smaller political parties) show a more even split between those over and under 50 years of age.
Independents (Registrants not enrolled in a party): Only 39% of independent voters are 50 or older, making them
the youngest voter group in the state.

4. Primary Election Participation (June 2024):

Older Voters (adults age 50-plus) comprised 72% of the turnout in the 2024 primary elections.
Republicans: 85% of Republican and 71% of Democrat primary voters were aged 50+.