AARP launches guide for voters Web site provides data on candidates

BANGOR – Maine’s seniors, typically the most vote-conscious contingent in the state, now have a new tool to keep them even more informed on local races for the November elections.

The Maine chapter of AARP – the nation’s largest senior advocacy group – has more than 200,000 members, a handful of whom turned out Wednesday at the Bangor Public Library to officially launch an online voter guide.

“I want it clearly understood: Our sole purpose is to keep [AARP] members and residents apprised of the issues,” Gerry Robertson, Maine AARP executive committee member, said. “We neither endorse candidates nor make contributions to campaigns.”

The idea behind the online voter guide is to provide the state’s seniors with information about local candidates that aren’t perhaps as visible as their national counterparts, Phyllis Cohn, AARP Maine’s communications coordinator, said.

“It’s almost free advertising for the candidates,” she said. “It’s real information, not sound-bite-style propaganda.”

AARP Maine contacted each of the 402 candidates vying for offices in the state Senate and House of Representatives to participate in the online guide. The candidates were asked to speak on four issues – property taxes, home and community-based care, clean elections and the Dirigo health plan – and were given three full weeks to respond.

Cohn said AARP Maine received 169 responses, which were limited to 150 words or less and posted on the Web site without any editing.

“We feel that if you’re going to be an informed voter, you need to be educated,” said Robertson, sporting a sticker that read “democracy is ageless.” “We urge you to exercise the power you have and vote.”

The online voter guide is not limited to seniors. Amber Lovell, an AARP Maine stafferwho was in charge of compiling most of the information for the Web site, said all voters could benefit from the information provided.

“The site is broken down so voters can search by candidate name or by district,” she said. “Voters also can type in their town and find out what district they live in.”

About 47 percent of Maine residents age 50 and older have Internet access in their homes, according to a 2002 study by AARP. Cohn admitted that while Internet use isn’t overwhelming among Maine’s seniors, the guide is a sign of the future.

“More seniors are using the Internet to keep in touch with their grandkids,” she said. “And they can always come to the library.”

The new Web site is www.aarp.org/me.