NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL RACE SURVEY of VOTERS 50+ Siena College Research Institute for AARP

Home , Curtis Sliwa, Eric Adams (politician), Fernando Mateo

NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL RACE SURVEY OF VOTERS 50+ Siena College Research Institute for AARP

• Andrew Yang and Curtis Sliwa hold large leads in the mayoral primary races among active voters 50 and older, with 24% of Democrats selecting Yang as their top candidate and 40% of Republicans selecting Sliwa. • Eric Adams and Scott Stringer are in a tie behind Yang, each with 13% of the first choice vote, followed by Ray McGuire at 9% among Democrats. • Sliwa leads Fernando Mateo (6%) and Bill Pepitone (4%) in the Republican race. • A considerable number of active voters 50 and older have not made up their minds about who to vote for: 26% of Democrats and 44% of Republicans are undecided. • Cost of living, crime, and housing affordability are considered the most serious issues for voters 50+. • The reports about the availability of quality health and mental health care, and living wage jobs vary depending the race/ethnicity of voters and the borough in which they live. • The top issues voters 50+ rated for the next mayor to address are increasing affordable housing and developing programs so New Yorkers can remain in their homes as they age. Yang has the lead as the first pick among Democrats age 50+ with Adams and Stringer tied for second, but more than a quarter of these voters remain undecided.

First, Second, and Third Picks Among Democrats Age 50+ (n=531 Registered Democrats)

26% 24% 22%

15% 16% 15% 16% 15% 13% 13% 12% 10% 10% 9% 8% 9% 8% 9% 9% 7% 6% 6% 7% 6% 4% 3% 2%

First pick Second pick Third pick Undecided Yang Adams Stringer McGuire Wiley Donovan Garcia Morales Adams has the lead among Black likely primary voters age 50+ but a quarter haven’t decided who will get their vote.

First, Second, and Third Picks Among 50+ Black Voters (n=178 Registered Democrats)

26% 25% 23% 21% 18% 17% 17% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13% 12% 9% 9% 8% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4% 3% 3% 1% 1%

First pick Second pick Third pick Undecided Yang Adams Stringer McGuire Wiley Donovan Garcia Morales

4 More than a third of Hispanic/Latino Democrats age 50+ likely to vote in the primary are undecided about who they will vote for but Yang has a sizable lead as the first pick. First, Second, and Third Picks Among 50+ Hispanic Voters (n=113 Registered Democrats)

35%

30%

22% 22% 19% 16% 14% 12% 12% 11% 11% 11% 10% 10% 10% 9% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4% 3% 2% 2% 0%

First pick Second pick Third pick Undecided Yang Adams Stringer McGuire Wiley Donovan Garcia Morales

5 Yang has a strong lead among Asian American likely voters 50+ but one in five are still undecided.

First, Second, and Third Picks Among 50+ Asian American Voters (n=38 Registered Democrats)*

45%

35%

22% 21% 19%

12% 12% 12% 11% 11% 9% 9% 9% 9% 8% 8% 8% 7% 6% 6% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% 2% 0%

First pick Second pick Third pick Undecided Yang Adams Stringer McGuire Wiley Donovan Garcia Morales

*Small number of respondents; not statistically reliable 6 Ranked Choice Analysis In order to account for the rank choice voting method being implemented for the New York City Mayoral Election, we first reassigned the second choice option for respondents who chose anyone other than the top three candidates (Eric Adams, Scott Stringer, Andrew Yang). We then performed the same reallocation using the third choice option for respondents who had on the second choice selected someone other than the top three. After all reallocations, anyone who did not choose Adams, Stringer or Yang as their top three choices was eliminated from this analysis. When performing this reallocation, Andrew Yang received 48%, Scott Stringer received 26% and Eric Adams received 26%. The next step would be to eliminate the third highest candidate, but given that the second and third candidates are essentially tied, whichever of the two is eliminated, Yang would comfortably be over 50%. Sliwa has the lead as the first pick in the primary among Republican likely voters age 50+ with more than four in ten still undecided. First, Second, and Third Picks Among Republicans Age 50+ (n=129 Registered Republicans)

44% 40% 38% 36%

25%

17% 18% 13% 11% 10% 8% 6% 6% 6% 4% 4% 2% 2% 3% 2% 3% 3% 0% 0%

First pick Second pick Third pick Undecided Sliwa Mateo Pepitone Oremland Tirchwell Other Smith Voters 50+ Identify Serious Issues for Next Mayor Crime, cost of living, and lack of affordable housing are rated as most serious issues among NYC voters 50+.

Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+) Crime 63% 27% Affordability 59% 28% Availability of affordable housing 61% 24% Racial/ethnic discrimination 53% 25% Pedestrian safety 39% 38% Ageism 31% 37% Safety net social issues 30% 34% High-speed internet 22% 30% Suitable transportation 23% 28%

Very serious Somewhat serious Black voters age 50+ rate crime, lack of affordable housing, and racial/ethnic discrimination as most serious issues.

Black Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=194 NYC Black Registered Voters 50+) Crime 74% 23% Availability of affordable housing 81% 14% Racial/ethnic discrimination 72% 21% Affordability 68% 24% Pedestrian safety 46% 36% Safety net social issues 40% 36% Ageism 41% 37% High-speed internet 29% 36% Suitable transportation 25% 29%

Very serious Somewhat serious Crime, cost of living, and lack of affordable housing are rated as most serious issues among Hispanic/Latino voters 50+. Hispanic/Latino Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=146 NYC Hispanic/Latinx Registered Voters 50+) Crime 67% 24% Affordability 65% 21% Availability of affordable housing 66% 19% Pedestrian safety 43% 33% Racial/ethnic discrimination 52% 22% Ageism 38% 34% Safety net social issues 23% 41% High-speed internet 29% 31% Suitable transportation 23% 26%

Very serious Somewhat serious Racial/ethnic discrimination, crime, and affordable housing top the list of most serious issues for Asian American voters age 50+. Asian American Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=67 NYC Asian American Registered Voters 50+)* Racial/ethnic discrimination 63% 26% Availability of affordable housing 54% 32% Crime 63% 21% Affordability 44% 37% Pedestrian safety 34% 44% Ageism 27% 38% Safety net social issues 29% 29% Suitable transportation 25% 19% High-speed internet 17% 26%

Very serious Somewhat serious

*Small number of respondents, margin of error 12% Cost of living, crime, and lack of affordable housing are rated as most serious issues among Bronx voters 50+.

Bronx Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=122 Registered Voters 50+) Affordability 64% 27% Crime 71% 19% Availability of affordable housing 66% 23% Racial/ethnic discrimination 59% 24% Pedestrian safety 43% 34% Ageism 43% 32% Safety net social issues 23% 44% High-speed internet 21% 41% Suitable transportation 18% 36%

Very serious Somewhat serious Crime, cost of living, and lack of affordable housing are rated as most serious issues among Brooklyn voters 50+.

Brooklyn Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=220 Registered Voters 50+) Crime 64% 23% Affordability 61% 26% Availability of affordable housing 64% 23% Racial/ethnic discrimination 54% 28% Pedestrian safety 40% 42% Ageism 30% 39% Safety net social issues 32% 33% High-speed internet 29% 25% Suitable transportation 26% 28%

Very serious Somewhat serious Crime, cost of living, and lack of affordable housing are rated as most serious issues among Manhattan voters 50+.

Manhattan Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=198 Registered Voters 50+) Crime 51% 38% Affordability 58% 29% Availability of affordable housing 59% 21% Racial/ethnic discrimination 50% 25% Pedestrian safety 36% 39% Safety net social issues 34% 33% Ageism 26% 39% High-speed internet 19% 33% Suitable transportation 24% 25%

Very serious Somewhat serious Crime, lack of affordable housing, and cost of living are rated as most serious issues among Queens voters 50+.

Queens Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=208 Registered Voters 50+) Crime 67% 25% Availability of affordable housing 59% 27% Affordability 56% 28% Racial/ethnic discrimination 53% 23% Pedestrian safety 40% 36% Ageism 30% 37% Safety net social issues 28% 34% Suitable transportation 21% 29% High-speed internet 19% 27%

Very serious Somewhat serious Crime, cost of living, and lack of affordable housing are rated as most serious issues among Staten Island voters 50+. Staten Island Voters 50+ Rate Seriousness of NYC Issues (n=62 Registered Voters 50+)*

Crime 63% 30% Affordability 51% 39% Availability of affordable housing 51% 34% Pedestrian safety 36% 37% Racial/ethnic discrimination 48% 23% Ageism 34% 32% Safety net social issues 32% 25% Suitable transportation 30% 23% High-speed internet 19% 24% Very serious Somewhat serious

*Small number of respondents, margin of error 12% 50+ Voters’ Report on Availability of Critical Services Availability of jobs that pay a living wage and job training and career development programs are lacking in NYC according to voters 50 and older. Availability of Vital Services in NYC (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

29%

26% 32%

34%

20% 16% 10%

6% 6% 7% 7% 3% Quality health services Quality mental health services Suitable employment paying Job training/career living wages development programs Not at all Not very Somewhat Black and Hispanic/Latino voters are most likely to say availability of health services in the city are lacking. Availability of Healthcare Services in NYC by Race/Ethnicity (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

32% 42% 42%

29%

10%

5% 9% 4% 7% 1% 3% 1% White Black Asian American Hispanic/Latino Not at all Not very Somewhat 50+ voters from Queens and Brooklyn report poorest availability of health services in the city. Availability of Healthcare Services in NYC by Borough (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

46% 35% 32%

29% 30%

6% 10%

4% 6% 4% 1% 2% 3% 1% 3% Bronx Brooklyn Queens Manhattan Staten Is Not at all Not very Somewhat Views on the availability of mental health services varies some by race and ethnicity. Availability of Mental Health Services in NYC by Race/Ethnicity (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

35% 41% 28%

29%

15% 9% 10% 8% 10% 6% 6% 4%

Black Asian American Hispanic/Latino White

Not at all Not very Somewhat Perceptions about the availability of mental health services in the city are similar across the boroughs with most seeing them as being not readily available. Availability of Mental Health Services in NYC by Borough (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

30% 29% 26% 38%

39%

12% 11% 12% 9%

6% 7% 7% 4% 4% 2% Bronx Brooklyn Queens Manhattan Staten Is Not at all Not very Somewhat Two out of five Hispanic/Latino voters 50+ say suitable jobs paying a living wage in the city are not very or not at all available. Availability of Suitable Living Wage Jobs in NYC by Race/Ethnicity (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

25%

32%

33% 29%

29%

22% 18% 16%

10% 8% 6% 6%

Hispanic/Latino Black Asian American White

Not at all Not very Somewhat A quarter or more voters 50+ in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx say suitable employment that pays a living wage is not very or not at all available. Availability of Suitable Living Wage Jobs in NYC by Borough (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

22% 28% 32% 33% 41%

25% 22% 19% 16% 13%

9% 8% 7% 6% 5%

Brooklyn Queens Bronx Manhattan Staten Is

Not at all Not very Somewhat 50+ Voters’ Priority Issues for Next Mayor 50+ voters say increasing the supply of affordable housing and developing programs to support independent living are priorities for the next mayor.

Priority of Next Mayor of NYC (n=811 NYC Registered Voters 50+)

Increase supply of affordable housing 78%

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 77% home as they age

Addressing discrimination 68%

Support for family caregivers 59%

High-speed internet 45% Black voters 50+ say the next mayor’s top priority should be increasing the supply of affordable housing. Most also agree that discrimination, ensuring older New Yorkers can remain in their homes, and support for caregivers are priorities.

Priority for Next NYC Mayor Among Black Voters 50+ (n=194 NYC Black Registered Voters 50+)

Increase supply of affordable housing 91%

Addressing discrimination 81%

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 79% home as they age

Support for family caregivers 70%

High-speed internet 49% Hispanic/Latino voters 50+ agree affordable housing and programs to support independent living for older New Yorkers are top priorities for the next mayor, but a majority also think discrimination, support for caregivers, and ig access to high-speed internet are priorities to address.

Priorities for NYC Next Mayor Among Hispanic/Latino Voters 50+ (n=146 NYC Hispanic/Latinx Registered Voters 50+)

Increase supply of affordable housing 84%

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 79% home as they age

Addressing discrimination 71%

Support for family caregivers 67%

High-speed internet 53% Three-quarters of Asian American voters 50+ think the next mayor should prioritize developing programs that allow New Yorkers to remain in their homes as they age, as well as addressing discrimination and the lack of affordable housing. More than half also believe support for family caregivers and expanding access to high-speed internet are priorities. Priorities for Next NYC Mayor Among Asian American Voters 50+ (n=67 NYC Asian American Voters 50+)*

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 78% home as they age

Addressing discrimination 77%

Increase supply of affordable housing 74%

Support for family caregivers 53%

High-speed internet 52%

*Small number of respondents, margin of error 12% Bronx voters 50+ say increasing the supply of affordable housing and developing programs to support independent living are priorities for the next mayor.

Bronx Voters: Priority of Next Mayor of NYC (n=122 Registered Voters 50+)

Increase supply of affordable housing 82%

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 79% home as they age

Support for family caregivers 61%

Addressing discrimination 72%

High-speed internet 43% Brooklyn voters 50+ say developing programs to support independent living and increasing the supply of affordable housing are priorities for the next mayor.

Brooklyn Voters: Priority of Next Mayor of NYC (n=220 Registered Voters 50+)

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 81% home as they age

Increase supply of affordable housing 80%

Addressing discrimination 71%

Support for family caregivers 63%

High-speed internet 52% Manhattan Voters 50+ say increasing the supply of affordable housing and developing programs to support independent living are priorities for the next mayor.

Manhattan Voters: Priority of Next Mayor of NYC (n=198 Registered Voters 50+)

Increase supply of affordable housing 82%

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 76% home as they age

Addressing discrimination 64%

Support for family caregivers 58%

High-speed internet 52% 50+ voters in Queens say increasing the supply of affordable housing and developing programs to support independent living are priorities for the next mayor.

Queens Voters: Priority of Next Mayor of NYC (n=208 Registered Voters 50+) Increase supply of affordable housing 76%

Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in 74% home as they age

Addressing discrimination 66%

Support for family caregivers 54%

High-speed internet 39% Staten Island voters 50+ say developing programs to support independent living is a priority for the next mayor.

Staten Island: Priority of Next Mayor of NYC (n=62 Registered Voters 50+)* Developing programs to allow NYers to remain in home 76% as they age

Addressing discrimination 67%

Increase supply of affordable housing 64%

Support for family caregivers 57%

High-speed internet 29%

*Small number of respondents, margin of error 12% Methodology

This AARP Poll was conducted by the Siena College Research Institute March 29-April 8, 2021 among 811 New York City active voters age 50 and older with 415 voters contacted through a dual frame (landline and cell phone) mode and 396 responses drawn from a proprietary online panel (Lucid) of New Yorkers. This poll has an overall margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points. There were 531 registered Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.3%; and 129 registered Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 8.6%. Telephone calls were conducted in English. Calls were made to a stratified weighted sample of voters from the L-2 Voter list via both land and cell phones. Data from both collection modes (phone and web) was merged and statistically adjusted by age, party, race/ethnicity, borough, and gender to ensure representativeness. About AARP AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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This research was designed and executed by AARP Research