Understanding The Grandparent Vote

Washington, DC -- The United States has 70 million grandparents, and the total will be 80 million by 2010 as the Baby Boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964) become grandparents. Yet, surprisingly, despite their numbers, very little has been done to understand how being a grandparent shapes one's views of the issues and influences the senior vote. Pollsters have never asked the question, Do Grandparents vote for themselves or their grandchildren when they go into the voting booth? Few pollsters even ask people if they are grandparents. GrannyVoter.org, a movement to encourage grandparents to speak out as trustees of the future, will release the findings of the first poll ever to ask grandparents how concerns about grandchildren will affect the senior vote--the most powerful voting bloc in the American electorate. SPEAKERS: Michael Gross, Research Manager, Ipsos-Public Affairs polling research--with results from the new national survey on priorities of grandparent voters. Patricia Schroeder, former member of Congress and GrannyVoter.org founder--on holding candidates responsible for actions that affect the future of grandchildren. Mary Catherine Bateson, cultural anthropologist and GrannyVoter.org founder--on efforts to encourage grandparents to use their vote as a legacy for their grandchildren. Susan Carroll, Senior Scholar, Center for American Women and Politics--on characteristics of the senior voter. **The results of this poll will be posted here Wednesday, October 27.**

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About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and reactions of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting and modeling and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2003, Ipsos generated global revenues of $644.2 million U.S. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.com Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris Premier Marchй, and is part of the SBF 120 and Next Prime Indices as well as eligible to the Deferred Settlement System (SRD). Euroclear code 7329, Reuters ISOS.LN, Bloomberg IPS FP.