The vast majority of the votes cast in the Aug. 23 primaries were by New Yorkers age 50 and above, according to data released this week by AARP New York.

All told, voters who are age 50 and over cast 75% of all ballots in the otherwise low-turnout primary in August, when voters considered nominees for the state Senate and congressional seats.

The data commissioned by the organization also found New Yorkers 50 and over made up 80% or more of the turnout on Long Island as well as every region north of the Hudson Valley.

The primary was in many respects an outlier: voting taking place in the middle of the summer and held only because of a legal battle over redistricting. Unlike general elections, only people registered in a major party with a primary at stake could vote.

Nevertheless, general elections have also shown the trend of older voters getting out to the ballot box at a disproportionate rate: 77% of the combined statewide turnout going back to 2018 was of voters 50 and over.

“There is so much at stake in this fall’s mid-term elections, and it’s clear the 50+ are the dominant voting bloc,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “The 50+ - who will be the deciders in next month’s elections - have provided a roadmap for candidates, and they want to count on Social Security and Medicare, lower prescription drug prices, and the ability to receive long-term care at home.”

Who votes -- and what brings those voters out on Election Day -- could have an effect on what policies are ultimately supported by those in power.

A survey of New Yorkers age 45 and above found 92% of those voters call Social Security benefits "extremely" or "very important" while 89% describe the same about having Medicare benefits in the future.

That survey also found 80% back changes to the prescription drug purchasing system to use lower Canadian prices when selling them in New York. And 74% of voters from that age group backed making it easier for people to build accessory dwelling units or "in-law" apartments on their owner-occupied properties.