Delaware 50+ Voters

January 2018https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00207.001

2

Methodology

AARP took a bipartisan approach to this research, using two firms,

BSG and GSSG to conduct and advise on all phases of research

design and execution.

800 telephone interviews were conducted from November 30 -

December 5, 2017 with registered voters ages 50+ in Delaware.

At the 95% confidence level, the margin of error for the entire sample

is ± 3.5%

Due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to 100%.

New Castle

Kent

Sussex

For more information, contact S. Kathi Brown of AARP Research at skbrown@aarp.org.Inquiries from the Media should be directed to AARP’s Media Relations Department at media@aarp.org.

3

Demographic Profile Of Delaware 50+ Voters

30 36 3454

4670 orolder

between60 and 69

between50 and 59 Female

Male

Race

27% high school or less

Gender

73%

16%

5%

2%

White

African-American

Native American

Hispanic

Age

32% some collegeor technical school

39% college grad or higher

Education

AARP

57% are AARP members

CSR

Party ID

Household Income

30% Democrat 45% Independent 25% Republican

39%

27%

19%

<$50k

$50-100k

$100k+

54% Yes 46% No

18%

50%

30%

City

Suburb

Rural

Veteran (self or family)

Political Landscape

5

Senator Carper Enjoys Impressively Broad Support – Even Republicans Are Net PositiveToward HimFavorability of Senator Carper by subgroup

QDE1: Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable view of Senator Tom Carper?

58

70

57

42

52

63

56

60

22

21

25

21

21

23

25

20

20

9

18

37

27

14

20

20

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Men

Women

50-64

65+

58

59

53

65

64

51

50

19

33

24

20

18

28

26

23

8

23

15

17

21

24

White

Non-white

<College

College+

New Castle

Kent

Sussex

Favorable Unsure/Don’t know Unfavorable

6

Democrats Confident Sen. Carper Cares About Them And Understands And Represents Them;Independents and GOP Not As Sure He Understands Their Challenges Or Will Serve Them% who say this describes Sen. Carper well

Q5,6,8: How well does this describe Senator Carper?

62

58

54

72

69

63

61

52

48

47

46

43

Cares about people like you

Understands the challenges facing older Americans

Represents your views on Social Security andMedicare

Overall Democrat Independent Republican‘Very fav’ to Carper among

those who say this describeshim well…

46

33

39

Mindset Of Delaware 50+ Voters

8

The Majority See US Economy On The Rise, While Delaware’s Is Struggling To Keep Up...Is US/Delaware economy getting stronger or weaker?

Q15,Q16: In general would you say [the U.S./Delaware’s] economy is getting much stronger, getting somewhat stronger,

staying the same, getting somewhat weaker or getting much weaker?

53

32

30

31

36

27

43

46

38

39

20

26

24

31

25

US economy

Overall

New Castle

Kent*

Sussex

Getting stronger Staying same/Don't know Getting weaker

Delaware’seconomy

*Base size <100,

data for directional

use only

9

…Which Is Reflected In Their Own Lives – 1-In-3 Are Struggling Or Worse, And Only 1-In-5 AreGetting AheadWhich describes your personal financial situation today?

Q17: Which of the following comes closest to describing your personal financial situation today? Getting ahead, staying where you are,

struggling to keep up, or falling backward?

20 2416 21 19

718

35

18 22 21 19 18

4647

4642 50

35

53

49

43

5144

4153

26 2130 28

24

45

22

12

2919

2628

24

7 7 8 9 6 14 6 38 7 8 10

4

Overall Men Women 50-64 65+ <$40k $40-75k $75k+ <College College+ New Castle Kent Sussex

Getting ahead Staying the same Struggling to keep up Falling backward

10

On An Open-Ended Basis, Health Care Cost Worries Are Most Top-Of-Mind For 50+ Voters

Q14: Please briefly describe the biggest fear you have facing you and your family today. Open end question; multiple responses accepted

23

11 9 9 105 6 7

13 12 13 13

4

105 5

Health care costs Financial hardship Donald Trumpbeing president

Social Security/Medicare not being

available

Economy/jobs not available

Nuclear war/North Korea

Terrorism/war Crime

50-64 65+

What is the biggest fear you have facing you and your family today?

Open end (showing answers >5%)

Dems: 16%

Ind: 12%

Rep: 4%

11

Division Ranks As #1 Worry, But Rising Prices, Terrorism, And Cost Of Health Care Aren’t FarBehind On List Of ConcernsHow often do you worry about…?

Q22-Q27: Do you worry about this very often, somewhat often, from time to time or almost never?

54

40

27

28

25

20

78

65

60

51

39

34

How divided America and Americans have become

Pricies rising faster than your income

Threat of terrorism in our country today

Not being able to afford the health care you need

Having to take care of an aging parent or family member

Not being able to retire when you want to, for financialreasons

Very often Somewhat often Total often

#1 acrossall parties

50-64: 49% often65+: 29% often

50-64: 50% often65+: 20% often

12

These Struggles Leave Fewer Than 2-In-3 Confident In Their Retirement Future, And Very FewExpressing Strong ConfidenceHow confident are you that you will have enough money to live comfortably through your retirement?

Q18: Overall how confident are you that you will have enough money to live comfortably throughout your retirement years?

20 2516 18 14

24 21 179

2230

6167

5659

49

6864

53

41

65

75

Overall Men Women Men Women 65+ White Non-white <$40k $40-75k $75k+

Very Confident Somewhat Confident Total Confident

50-64

Delaware Issues

14

Voters 50+ See The Economy As The Most Pressing Issue For The State, While Drugs/HeroinEpidemic Is A Top Issue Across Party Lines

Q13: In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing Delaware today? Open end question; multiple responses accepted

20 18

11 10 96

17 18

11 116 7

27

17

8 10 9

3

19 20

128

13

6

Economy/jobs Drugs/heroin epidemic Health care/cost ofhealth care

Crime Budgets/finances Taxes/tax bill

Overall Democrat Independent Republican

What is the single most important issue facing Delaware today?

Open end (showing answers >5%)

15

Protecting Funding To Help Those With Pre-Existing Conditions Receives Strong, BipartisanSupportIf you knew Sen. Carper was prioritizing this issue would you be more or less favorable to him?

QDE7: If you knew Sen. Carper was prioritizing this issue, would that make you much more favorable, somewhat more favorable somewhat less favorable, or

much less favorable to him?

44

56

44

27

61

46

19

45

78

89

73

67

90

83

55

80

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Very fav

Swmt fav

Unfav

Don't know

Much more fav Somewhat more Total more favorable

Continuing to provide government funding to help insurance companies who cover

people with pre-existing conditions who have higher than average health care costs

Sen.

Carper

Fav

16

Majority Support Infrastructure Tax, But With Very Little IntensitySupport for proposals

QDE4. Paying an additional tax in order to improve and create new transportation infrastructure in Delaware. Do you strongly support, somewhat support,

somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal?

Paying an additional tax in order to improve and create new

transportation infrastructure in Delaware

21

24

20

18

55

63

50

47

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Strongly support Somewhat support Total support

18

23

25

21

22

20

50

56

63

56

48

57

<$40k

$40-75k

$75k+

New Castle

Kent

Sussex

Opioids

18

The Opioid Crisis Hits Home For Many; With Almost Half Of Older Delawareans KnowingSomeone Affected Personally, It’s A Top Concern Across The State

QDE9: How concerned are you about heroin and opioid abuse in Delaware? QDE10: Do you personally know anyone who has struggled with heroin or opioid

addiction?

35

36

29

38

30

40

35

33

36

64

65

64

64

59

69

64

60

67

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Men

Women

New Castle

Kent

Sussex

Extremely concerned Very concerned Extremely + very

% concerned about heroin/opioid abusein DE

% who personally know someone who hasstruggled with heroin/opioid addiction

48

46

49

50

45

50

44

54

52

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Men

Women

New Castle

Kent

Sussex

19

As Such, Addressing The Issue Sees Strong, Intense Support

QDE6: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal?

47

53

42

43

77

83

75

71

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Strongly support Somewhat support Total support

Support for providing additional services and addiction treatment

for those who suffer from opioid addiction

20

Senator Carper’s Ratings On His Efforts Are Net Positive, Including Among Those MostConcerned, But Significant Segment Of Electorate Aren’t Giving Him Benefit Of Doubt

Q7: How well does this describe Senator Carper?

41

48

34

34

41

32

31

37

29

29

27

20

29

37

31

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Well Don't know Not Well

75-11 fav/unfav to Carper 36-44 fav/unfav55-10 fav/unfav

How well does this describe Senator Carper?

“Is doing a good job fighting the opioid crisis”

Extremely concerned

about opioid abuse

21

Most Would Be More Favorable If They Knew He Was Prioritizing This IssueIf you knew Sen. Carper was prioritizing this issue would you be more or less favorable to him?

QDE8: If you knew Sen. Carper was prioritizing this issue, would that make you much more favorable, somewhat more favorable somewhat less favorable, or

much less favorable to him?

40

43

39

36

51

42

21

41

59

73

76

70

71

78

80

57

70

80

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

Very fav

Swmt fav

Unfav

Don't know

Extremely…

Much more fav Somewhat more Total more favorable

Reducing access to synthetic opioid drugs

Sen.

Carper

Fav

Extremely concernedabout opioid abuse

Senior Issues

23Q30: Which of the following worries you more?

48

51

52

46

44

44

52

31

29

28

30

36

36

27

13

12

13

13

11

15

11

4

3

3

5

5

4

4

Overall

AARP Members

Dem

Ind

Rep

50-64

65+

Congress will make changes to SocialSecurity that will harm seniors

Congress won't make changes to SocialSecurity and the program will go bankrupt

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Older Delawareans Are Largely Distrusting Of Congress When It Comes To Social Security…Which concerns you more?

Both Neither

24

…And The Same Holds True For Medicare, To An Even Greater DegreeWhich concerns you more?

Q31: Which of the following worries you more?

54

61

58

53

49

48

59

30

26

28

29

34

36

25

Overall

AARP Members

Dem

Ind

Rep

50-64

65+

Congress will make changes to Medicare thatwould hurt seniors and near-retirees

Congress won't make any changes to Medicareand future retirees and our kids will pay the price

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

25

By 2:1 Margin, Delawareans 50+ Far More Concerned Congress Will Hurt Medicare And SocialSecurity Than They Are About Spending And Deficit ReductionWhen it comes to reducing the deficit, which concerns you more?

QDE11. When it comes to reducing the deficit, which of the following concerns you more?

63

68

79

59

44

63

64

32

28

17

34

52

34

30

Overall

AARP Members

Dem

Ind

Rep

50-64

65+

Congress will go too far and cut too much fromprograms like Medicare and Social Security

Congress won't do enough to cut federalspending and reduce the federal deficit

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

26

On Reforms, Expansion To Dental Sees Strong Support, While Premium Support Is A Non-StarterSupport for Medicare reforms

Q32: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal, which is sometimes called 'premium support’? QDE5:Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal?

22

20

16

19

32

72

75

80

73

61

Overall

AARPMembers

Dem

Ind

Rep

Support Don't know Oppose

“Premium Support”Medicare would no longer pay for health care services directly butinstead would provide each senior with a set amount of money to

help purchase an insurance plan in the private marketplace.

Expanding Medicare to pay for dental care services

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Strongly Oppose

81

83

86

80

74

16

13

12

16

22

Overall

AARPMembers

Dem

Ind

Rep

Strongly Support

58

60

68

55

46

61

64

69

61

48

27

Majority Of Supporters Favorable Toward Medicaid – Even Republicans, But That Support IsSoftFavorability toward Medicaid program

Q33: Thinking about the Medicaid program generally, would you say you have a very favorable view of Medicaid, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable,

or very unfavorable view of Medicaid?

25 3221 17 24 25 32

19 24

6777

66

55

69 66 6863

69

Overall Dem Ind Rep 50-64 65+ <$40k $40-75k $75k+

Very favorable Somewhat favorable Total favorable

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

28

Voters Of All Political Stripes Reject Block GrantsWhich approach to Medicaid would you prefer?

Q34: Which approach to Medicaid would you prefer?

The current approach where states determine who qualifies forMedicaid and what services are covered within federal guidelines,

and the states and federal government split the costs

Change Medicaid so the federal government gives each state aset amount of money, known as a block grant, and the state

decides how much state funding to give the program, who getscoverage and what services are covered

60

67

59

48

25

20

25

34

Overall

Dem

Ind

Rep

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

29

Compromise Is Not A Dirty Word: Voters Support Bipartisan Agreement To Lower Health CarePremiums At A Nearly 5:1 Ratio

Q29: Based on what you know today, do you support or oppose the bipartisan health care agreement made by Senators Alexander and Murray that provides

government funding to lower premiums for middle class Americans?

63 67 62 59 60 66

13 10 16 17 18 10

Overall Dem Ind Rep Men Women

Support Don't know Oppose

Based on what you know today, do you support or oppose the bipartisan health care agreement made bySenators Alexander and Murray that provides government funding to lower premiums for middle class Americans?

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

30

Insurance and Drug Companies Seen As Top Reason For Rising Health Care Costs, AndSignificant Number Of Republicans Blame ACAWhat is most responsible for rising health care costs?

Q28: What do you think is most responsible for rising health care costs in this country? You may select up to two things.

50

49

24

19

13

12

Health care insurance companies being too focused on profitsand not peoples' health

Drug companies charging too much for medications andtreatment

Doctors, hospitals, and other providers ordering unnecessarytreatments and over-testing

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare

Medical malpractice lawsuits

An aging U.S. population

#1 for Dems

#2 for Inds, Reps

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

#1 for Inds, Reps

#2 for Dems

31

Older Delawareans Blame High Drug Prices On Pharmaceutical Companies’ Unethical PricingTacticsWhich comes closest to your own opinion?

Q41: Which of the following comes closest to your own opinion?

Prices for prescription drugs aredetermined on a free, open marketthat is subject to the laws of supply

and demand

Prices for prescription drugs are theresult of a pharmaceutical

corporation monopoly that controlsthe prices

32 32 28 33 3826

61 60 66 61 5666

Overall Dem Ind Rep Men Women

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

32

To Address This, Older Voters Strongly Support An Array Of Reforms; Even 3-In-4 RepublicansSupport Capping Drug Company ProfitsSupport for prescription drug reform proposals

Q35-40: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal?

82

74

72

65

63

61

94

89

86

72

73

76

Allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices

Allow lower cost generic drugs to come to the prescription drug marketfaster

Ensure transparency in drug pricing

Close loopholes that allow pharmaceutical companies to keep priceshigh

Close loopholes that allow drug companies to prevent consumers fromaccessing lower priced generic drugs

Limit the profits that drug companies can make on medications

Strongly support Somewhat support Total support

HEALTH CARESOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Dem Ind Rep

93 95 95

87 91 90

82 89 90

67 79 74

71 76 75

79 71 75

Total support among...

Constituent Outreach

34

60% of 50+ Voters Receiving Some Communication From The Senator – But More, Especially InThe Mail And At Town Halls, DesiredWhich ways have you received info from Sen. Carper? Which would you most prefer?

Q10: In which of the following ways have you received news or information from Senator Tom Carper? Multiple responses accepted Q11: And in which of the

following ways would you most like to receive news or information from Senator Tom Carper? Multiple responses accepted

28

18

8

7

40

47

22

20

15

14

Mail sent to your home

Updates posted on Facebook or other socialmedia

Events or town halls the Senator holds in yourcommunity

Updates posted to the Senator's website

None of the above

Currently receive Would prefer

50-64: 42%65+: 51%

35

Cable And Local TV News Dominate Sources Of Information; Family, Friends And OrganizationsMore Important For Voters 50+ Than Social Media

Q42: Which of the following sources do you rely on to obtain news and information about political issues and government? Please tell me all that apply.

Multiple responses accepted. Q43: Which of the following do you do at least a few times a week? Please tell me all that apply. Multiple responses accepted.

73

72

56

53

47

33

30

9

78

67

61

36

39

24

14

4

Cable television news

Local television news

Newspapers and magazines

Radio

Your family and friends

The organizations you belongto

Facebook

Twitter

50-64 65+

70

68

52

58

49

47

12

76

65

55

38

37

26

4

Watch political news on cabletelevision channels

Watch political news on localtelevision channels

Read political news in print

Read political news online

Listen to political news on the radio

Log on to Facebook

Read Twitter

50-64 65+

% who rely on this as source of news/info

on politics and government

% who do this a few times a week