Voters over 50 continue to shape the outcome of elections in New Jersey — particularly in Mercer County — and are expected to play a decisive role in 2025, according to a new report released by AARP New Jersey.

The report, titled “The Power of the Older Voter,” found that older voters are consistently the largest and most reliable bloc in state and local elections, especially in non-presidential years. In Legislative District 15, which includes Hopewell and Pennington, voters aged 50 and over accounted for 70% of ballots cast in 2023 — up from 65% in 2022 and 67% in 2021.

“More than two-thirds of the electorate in 2025 will be comprised of voters 50+, and to be the next governor of New Jersey, candidates are going to need to understand and address the concerns of older voters across the Garden State,” said AARP New Jersey State Director Chris Widelo.

As of August 2024, more than 64,000 voters aged 50 and over were registered in Legislative District 15. The district also includes over 24,600 AARP members, according to the organization.

Statewide, the trend mirrors local patterns. In 2023, voters 50 and older made up 67% of the turnout in non-presidential elections, continuing a years-long pattern of electoral dominance. In 2022, that figure was 63%, and in 2021 it was 65%.

The report, developed in partnership with Gotham Polling and Analytics, underscores how this demographic’s high turnout spans party lines and influences key races, especially in off-year elections where overall participation tends to be lower.

Mercer County’s turnout trends among older voters are comparable to the statewide figures. In 2022, 64% of Mercer voters over 50 turned out to vote — well above the average for younger voters. That number dropped slightly to 61.69% in 2023, but still represented a clear majority of ballots cast.

“AARP New Jersey is proud to highlight the critical role that older voters continue to play in our democracy,” Widelo said. “Their consistent and substantial turnout in elections, especially at the local and state levels, demonstrates their commitment to shaping the future of our communities.”

The report also found that registered women over 50 consistently outvote their male counterparts, regardless of political party, further reinforcing the influence of older women on New Jersey’s electoral outcomes.

AARP hopes the findings will prompt candidates and elected officials to prioritize issues important to older voters, including property tax relief, retirement security, long-term care reform, and support for family caregivers.

With the 2025 election on the horizon, AARP’s data suggests that those hoping to win office — from local town halls to the State House — will need to address the concerns of New Jersey’s most consistent and powerful voting bloc.