The AARP hosts two voter education sessions on Maui today—one in Wailuku and the other in Lahaina.  The sessions are aimed at assuring members and the general public understands the background on key issues in Maui’s congressional and state legislative races.  The agency will discuss the economy, jobs, Hawaii’s doctor shortage, the state budget as well as concerns among voters age 50 and older.  The sessions run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at MEO in Wailuku, and 2 to 4 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center in Lahaina.

This election, 98 percent of AARP’s roughly 150,000 member statewide say they plan to vote in the general election with one-third of ballots cast expected to come from AARP members.

“Older voters have tough issues on their minds this election season, and they’re looking to the candidates on where they stand before hitting the polls in November,” said AARP Hawaii State Director Barbara Kim Stanton.  “AARP’s voter education sessions are one tool that will help not only our members, but all Maui voters become more informed about key issues,” said Stanton.

AARP Hawaii also makes available to the public its 2010 State Voter Guide – an election resource featuring the views of candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and every state legislative race in the primary election this year.  The Voter Guide includes answers from 173 candidates in 68 races to questions posed by AARP members in four key issue areas.  It is available for review at www.aarp.org/yourvote.