AARP does not endorse candidates or political parties

AARP is a nonpartisan organization, meaning it does not support Donald Trump, Joe Biden, or any other candidate for office. AARP's bylaws prohibit the organization from endorsing candidates or taking sides in elections. This policy has been in place for decades and applies equally to all political figures and parties.

AARP's stated mission is to represent the interests of people age 50 and older on issues that affect them—healthcare, Social Security, prescription drug costs, and retirement security. The organization focuses on these policy areas rather than on which party or candidate holds office.

Because AARP members hold a wide range of political beliefs, the organization maintains this neutral stance to serve all members regardless of their political affiliation. Some members support Trump, some support other candidates, and some do not align with either major party.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP's bylaws prohibit the organization from endorsing any candidate for political office, including the presidency.
  • AARP focuses on policy issues that affect older adults—Social Security, Medicare, prescription drug costs—rather than on which party is in power.
  • AARP members hold diverse political views, and the organization's nonpartisan stance allows it to represent all of them.
  • AARP does publish candidate positions on specific issues so members can see where each candidate stands on topics that matter to older adults.
  • Individual AARP staff members and board members may hold personal political views, but those views do not represent the organization's official position.

How AARP engages with elections

Although AARP does not endorse candidates, the organization does engage with the electoral process in other ways. AARP publishes voter guides that lay out where candidates stand on issues important to older adults—such as Social Security changes, Medicare coverage, and prescription drug pricing. These guides present each candidate's stated position without recommending one over another.

AARP also runs nonpartisan voter registration and turnout campaigns to encourage people age 50 and older to vote. The organization registers voters, provides information about voting dates and locations, and reminds members when elections are coming. This work is designed to increase participation, not to steer votes in any particular direction.

During election years, AARP may hold forums or town halls where candidates are invited to discuss their positions on aging-related issues. These events give members a chance to hear directly from candidates without AARP promoting one candidate over another.

Why AARP maintains a nonpartisan stance

AARP's membership spans the political spectrum. Roughly equal numbers of AARP members identify as Republican, Democrat, and Independent. If AARP endorsed a candidate or party, it would alienate a large portion of its membership and undermine its ability to negotiate with elected officials from both parties.

AARP's power in Washington comes partly from its size—it has nearly 38 million members—and partly from the fact that elected officials from both parties view AARP as representing a broad constituency. If AARP were seen as a partisan organization, it would lose influence with half of Congress.

The nonpartisan approach also allows AARP to work with whichever party is in power. When a Republican is president, AARP can negotiate with Republican leadership. When a Democrat is president, AARP can work with Democratic leadership. This flexibility has allowed AARP to find wins on issues like prescription drug negotiation and Social Security protection across multiple administrations.

How to find AARP's positions on specific issues

If you want to know AARP's stance on a particular policy—such as changes to Social Security, Medicare coverage, or tax policy—you can visit AARP's website and search for that topic. AARP publishes detailed position statements on major issues affecting older adults.

AARP also publishes legislative scorecards that show how members of Congress voted on bills that AARP tracked. These scorecards do not tell you which candidates to support, but they do show you which elected officials voted the way AARP advocated on specific bills.

During election years, AARP's voter guides break down each candidate's stated position on key issues. You can review these guides to compare where candidates stand on topics that matter to you, then make your own decision about whom to support.

What individual AARP leaders may say

AARP's CEO, board members, and staff are individual citizens who may hold personal political views. Sometimes these individuals speak publicly about politics or candidates in their personal capacity. However, their personal opinions do not represent AARP's official position.

It is important to distinguish between what an AARP employee says as a private citizen and what AARP as an organization says. AARP's official statements come from the organization's leadership speaking on behalf of the membership and are published through AARP's official channels.

How AARP's nonpartisan model works in practice

In practice, AARP's nonpartisan stance means the organization will work with any elected official or candidate who is willing to address issues affecting older adults. AARP has lobbied Republican-controlled Congresses and Democratic-controlled Congresses. It has worked with Republican and Democratic presidents.

When a bill comes up that affects Social Security, Medicare, or prescription drug costs, AARP takes a position based on whether the bill helps or hurts older adults—not based on which party introduced it. AARP has opposed bills from both parties and supported bills from both parties, depending on the content.

This approach sometimes frustrates people who want AARP to take a stronger partisan stance. Some members wish AARP would endorse candidates they support. Others wish AARP would oppose candidates they dislike. But AARP's leadership has concluded that maintaining neutrality serves the broader membership better than taking sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has AARP ever endorsed a candidate?

No. AARP's bylaws prohibit the organization from endorsing candidates for any office, including the presidency. This policy has been consistent across multiple decades and multiple election cycles.

Does AARP favor one political party over the other?

AARP's official position is nonpartisan. The organization works with elected officials from both major parties. However, on specific issues, AARP may oppose one party's position and support the other's—based on how the policy affects older adults, not based on party loyalty.

Where can I see how candidates stand on issues AARP cares about?

During election years, AARP publishes voter guides that show each candidate's stated position on Social Security, Medicare, prescription drug costs, and other issues affecting older adults. These guides are available on AARP's website and do not recommend one candidate over another.

Can I find out which members of Congress AARP supported or opposed?

AARP publishes legislative scorecards showing how members of Congress voted on bills AARP tracked. These scorecards show voting records but do not tell you which candidates AARP recommends. You can use them to see how your representatives voted on issues that matter to you.

What if I disagree with AARP's position on an issue?

AARP members hold diverse views, and disagreement is common. You can contact AARP directly to share your perspective, or you can straightforward use AARP's resources—like voter guides and legislative scorecards—to make your own decisions about which candidates and policies to support.