It is interesting that AARP has been publishing responses from our legislators and candidates for public office to establish a focus on important issues facing the nation for many campaigns. AARP has a 25-year history of non-partisan voter engagement and education. Correspondingly important, AARP does not endorse any candidate nor support them financially. The thrust of AARP’s Voter Education Guides is for the public to read the candidates’ responses and decide for themselves who is best to represent them in the Senate or Congress.

Here are some hot federal issues on the forefront this year that will be posed and reported in the guide.

• Social Security: How would you protect Social Security for today’s seniors and strengthen it for future generations?

• Medicare: How would you put Medicare on stronger financial ground and protect today’s seniors and future retirees from the burden of rising health costs?

• Financial security: How would you help Americans, especially those ages 50 and older, build a financial nest egg for their retirement?

In May, volunteers across the state, as well the rest of the nation, went to each legislator and candidate looking for their position on the issues. Each volunteer will deliver a letter instructing lawmakers that they will have an opportunity to review their responses a second time prior to printing. In the past, there have been occasions in which a candidate’s staff failed to deliver their response in a timely manner; the Voter Guide reflected this by a blanket “the candidate failed to respond”, as each candidate and lawmaker must be recognized in each state race and this leaves no alternative to omitting the candidate’s name.

AARP National has shared that in 2008, 11 million voters used information in the Voter Guide to help them make their voting decisions. AARP does not advise you who to vote for; they poll the candidates and provide their responses in a compact document to assist you in making your own choice as to who will best represent you and your ideals. Look for the guide in your area soon then be sure to get out and vote in November!