Older adults remain a significant force in deciding U.S. elections. Voters 65 and older have maintained the highest turnout of any age group since 1988, with 72% casting ballots.
One of the hundreds of Yuma early voters, is Charlene Shear, who retired in Yuma after working as a hair stylist in Chicago. Today Charlene is living on fixed income.
"Everything is going up, but we can't keep up, and you don't know how difficult it is until you get there," Shear said. She added that many of her friends have come out of retirement to manage the rising cost of living.
In Arizona, voters 50 and older are highly motivated, with issues such as inflation, Social Security, healthcare costs, and utility prices ranking among their top concerns.
Robby Robinson, who dropped off his early ballot alongside his wife, said the cost of daily life is a primary issue.
"For us, being retired, it’s the cost of keeping our household running," Robinson said. "We’re looking forward to the midterms, and we’re looking forward to a change in the administration."
Others are prioritizing national policies. Bill Webber, standing near a downtown polling location, said his top priority is voting for Republican candidates to shift the country's direction.
"Our country is starting to go in the right way," Webber said. "I would rather go through high gas prices right now than for [the country] not to have nuclear weapons."
Political engagement in Yuma has also spilled into the streets. During a recent demonstration at the intersection of 16th Street and 4th Avenue, residents gathered to express their frustration with the current administration.
Karla Gommel, a participant in the protest, emphasized the need for representation. "We are trying to get a message out. We don’t like what’s happening in our government, and also we need to get out and vote," she said.
For some, the issues are deeply specific. Roxane Barley, a member of the Cocopah tribe, said she feels a duty to keep residents informed. She cited her concerns regarding the border wall's impact on the Tohono O’odham Nation and the broader challenges faced by Arizona’s 22 tribal nations.
Jack Cowan, who also voted early, said the economy is not the only issue on the ballot. Noting that his children are Ukrainian through their maternal grandfather, he expressed concern over the political discourse surrounding the war in Ukraine.
"Of course, prices have increased, but my children are also Ukrainian... and Trump supporting Russia affects us," Cowan said. "Just get out and vote."
As the deadline for casting ballots approaches, these residents represent the intense political engagement characterizing this election cycle. Yuma County, frequently viewed as a pivotal area in Arizona politics, remains a central focus for campaigns looking to secure crucial votes across the political spectrum.
