Aging and Politics

As the number of older adults has increased substantially in the U.S. population, their potential to influence politics and policy has also increased. Recognizing older adults as an important voting block is called the senior power model of impact on politics. Statistics show that there are more than 30 million Americans aged 65 or older, and that number is expected to grow to over 50 million by 2020. Much of the projected growth can be attributed to the aging baby boomer generation cohort (those born between 1946 and 1964). There are more than 70 million baby boomers in the United States, and those born in 1946 reached aged 60 in 2006.

Along with large numbers, older adults also vote at higher rates than other age groups. ...