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AARP’s ‘Be the Difference. Vote.’ stresses the importance of voting in this year’s midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “‘Be the Difference. Vote.’ is a non-partisan campaign whose goal is mobilizing African Americans voters — and all voters 50 and older — to exercise your power and vote,” says Edna Kane-Williams, the senior vice president of Multicultural Leadership at AARP. “Critical issues like Medicare, Social Security, prescription drugs and family caregiving are on the line and older voters need to show up and protect what they’ve earned.”

Published

8 years ago

October 16, 2018

BlackPressUSA

Launched in May, the “Be the Difference. Vote,” campaign relies on studies that show voters 50 and older are the most reliable. (Photo: AARP)

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Next month’s fast-approaching midterm elections count as one of the most consequential in a lifetime, according to political scholar Norman Ornstein.

The folks at AARP “wholeheartedly concur,” and not just in word, but also by actions.

The organization, which was founded in 1958 on the principles of promoting independence, dignity and purpose for older adults, has launched a campaign titled, “Be the Difference. Vote.”

AARP doesn’t endorse candidates or parties, they focus instead on policy that affects older adults.

“‘Be the Difference. Vote.’ is a non-partisan campaign whose goal is mobilizing African Americans voters — and all voters 50 and older — to exercise their power and vote,” says Edna Kane-Williams, the senior vice president of Multicultural Leadership at AARP. “Critical issues like Medicare, Social Security, prescription drugs and family caregiving are on the line and older voters need to show up and protect what they’ve earned.”

[/media-credit] Launched in May, the “Be the Difference. Vote,” campaign relies on studies that show voters 50 and older are the most reliable. (Photo: AARP)

Launched in May, the “Be the Difference. Vote,” campaign relies on studies that show voters 50 and older are the most reliable.

The multifaceted campaign seeks to encourage the largest possible turnout of older voters to the polls during the midterm election, Nov. 6. This election places issues like Medicare, Social Security, financial security and caregiving – topics of particular interest to older voters — front and center.

Kane-Williams referenced U.S. Census statistics that reveal that only 57 percent of all U.S. citizens between ages 25 and 44 voted in the 2012 general election, compared to 68 percent of those between 45 and 64. Among African Americans, 65 percent of individuals between 25 and 44 voted, compared to 72 percent who were between the ages of 45 and 64.

African Americans will be a deciding voting bloc in key races across the country, especially in Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and other swing states, according to multiple political experts. However, forecasters also predict potential Black voter dropout, a serious issue.

In 2016, the Black voter turnout rate declined for the first time in 20 years in a presidential election, falling to 59.6 percent after reaching a record high of 66.6 percent in 2012, according to the Pew Research Center.

“We are at a moment in which important decisions need to be made on matters key to the lives of older Americans,” AARP editors noted in the October 2018 AARP Bulletin.

“Some are obvious, like the future funding and structure of Medicare and our health care system,” the editors wrote. “At the same time, many states are grappling with issues related to worker discrimination, retirement savings, underfunded pensions, Medicaid, caregiving and more. Those we put into office could shape the resolutions of these issues for decades to come.”

In a colorful graphic for the magazine, AARP editors outlined what’s at stake, including 35 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats; all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives; and 36 of 50 states will elect a governor.

Nearly 300 state appellate judges, including 71 state Supreme Court justices will be elected or appointed; 25 of America’s largest cities will elect mayors; and 82 percent of state legislator positions, totaling 6,070 seats in 87 legislative chambers, are up for grabs.

AARP’s campaign is important, and the organization listed 10 ways in which the midterm elections will affect older Americans:

Shoring up Social Security.
Rising Drug Prices.
Medicare Funding.
Medicaid: Grow or slow it?
The future of Health Insurance.
Bolstering Retirement Savings.
Lower Retirement Taxes.
Fixing Pension Shortfalls.
More Help for Caregivers.
Fraud Targets.

Through the “Be the Difference. Vote.” campaign, AARP has used its website as a one-stop portal for voters to get information about the election, including issue briefings, polling results and voter guides.

AARP has pledged to conduct polls of 50-plus voters across the country and in battleground states, tracking voter sentiment on key issues. Throughout the initiative, the organization has delivered information on issues and election news, and has notified members of local events, tele-town halls and candidate forums.

Candidates are pressured to address issues of vital importance to older Americans in campaign speeches, literature and advertising messages, based upon the input received from AARP tracking polls and member communications.

AARP has also applied advanced data analytics to target turnout of 50-plus voters in major races across the country, while reaching out to African American and Latino voters — especially in races where they represent a key or deciding voting bloc.

“AARP encourages all voters, regardless of their ages, to take part in the ‘Be the Difference. Vote.’ campaign by signing AARP’s pledge to vote, using the voting tool to ensure they have the information they need to vote, and learning where the candidates stand on issues that matter to them and their families,” Kane-Williams said.

Voters can sign the pledge and get more information at aarp.org/vote.

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From Inglewood’s billboard controversy to final election reminders, we break down the five biggest stories you need to know this week.

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We make money while we sleep. That’s the mayor of Inglewood, talking about billboards. And six days from now, Inglewood voters decide whether he gets to keep sleeping on it.

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ONE THING THIS WEEK
Vote. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Official drop boxes close at 8 p.m. that
night. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and arrive within
seven days. Sign and date your envelope. Not registered? You can still register
and vote the same day, in person, through Election Day.
State voter hotline: 800-345-VOTE (8683). Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.

A NOTE ON THIS EPISODE
Stories two and three were reported at an SEIU Local 2015 rally for two Democratic
candidates. Rep. David Valadao and Steve Hilton did not appear; we include
Valadao’s own debate answer and encourage voters to read both sides.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:43 Inglewood: Inglewood Mayor Defends Billboard Revenue as Measure BB Heads to Nov. 3 Election
3:03 Kern County: Villegas Rallies SEIU Caregivers in Bakersfield in CD-22 Race Against Valadao
5:49 Governor’s Race: Becerra to Bakersfield Caregivers: “You Are My Family”
7:56 Corcoran: Healing the Wounds Behind the Walls
10:39 Los Angeles: Metro to Kick Off Vermont Bus Rapid Transit Project Ahead of 2028 Olympics
12:33 What to do this week

THE FULL STORIES
Inglewood Mayor Defends Billboard Revenue as Measure BB Heads to Nov. 3 Election

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2. Villegas Rallies SEIU Caregivers in Bakersfield in CD-22 Race Against Valadao

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4. Healing the Wounds Behind the Walls

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5. Metro to Kick Off Vermont Bus Rapid Transit Project Ahead of 2028 Olympics

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Subscribe for the top five, every week.

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20 Years of California Climate Law: Gov. Newsom and Former Gov. Schwarzenegger Lead Milestone Celebration

Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently gathered at the California Economic Summit to mark the 20th anniversary of the Global Warming Solutions Act. The bipartisan celebration highlighted how the landmark law established a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the state’s cap-and-invest program. While the governors credited these policies with fostering clean-energy innovation and driving economic growth, critics continue to raise concerns regarding the impact of environmental regulations on energy affordability for residents. Read more to learn about the state’s climate milestones.

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BlackPressUSA Newswire

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Photo courtesy of Gov. Newsom’s office.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrated two decades of the state’s landmark climate law on Wednesday, Oct. 14, highlighting California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while growing its economy and expanding clean-energy investment.

The Democratic governor and Republican former governor appeared together at the 15th annual California Economic Summit in Long Beach to mark the 20th anniversary of Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, which Schwarzenegger signed in September 2006. The law established a framework for reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions and helped lay the groundwork for the state’s cap-and-invest program.

“We’ve shown the world what a state can accomplish,” Schwarzenegger said, highlighting California’s climate leadership.

Newsom credited Schwarzenegger’s decision to sign AB 32 with helping create the state’s cap-and-invest program, which requires companies to reduce their emissions, purchase allowances, or fund projects that offset pollution. Revenue from the program supports climate initiatives, affordable housing and transportation projects, as well as electricity bill credits for residents.

Newsom said California has reinvested $16 billion to offset residents’ electricity costs since the program began and expects to receive another $8 billion over the next four years.

He also argued that predictable climate policies encourage businesses to invest in California’s clean-energy economy, pointing to Tesla as an example of the opportunities the state’s regulatory framework created.

“There’s no Elon Musk without what Gov. Schwarzenegger did because there would be no Tesla,” Newsom said.

Schwarzenegger agreed that long-term policy certainty helps attract investment, arguing that California’s climate initiatives demonstrate that environmental protections and economic development can advance together.

The state extended its cap-and-invest program through 2045 last year, giving businesses a longer-term framework for planning investments and meeting emissions requirements.

However, California’s approach continues to face criticism over energy affordability and regulatory costs. Wayne Winegarden, a senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, argued that assessments of the state’s climate policies should better account for the high energy costs Californians face. Critics have also questioned how much of the state’s economic growth can be directly attributed to its environmental regulations.

The governors’ joint appearance underscored their shared support for climate action despite their political differences. Schwarzenegger has criticized Newsom’s support for Proposition 50, the 2025 redistricting measure that temporarily allowed California lawmakers to redraw congressional districts.

The anniversary comes as California continues to pursue emissions reductions and clean-energy investment while facing questions about the cost of its climate policies for households and businesses.