This article highlights an important concern for Montana’s senior citizens navigating the world of political donations in the 2024 election cycle.
Many seniors, like Mauren Fiksdal, find the barrage of political ads overwhelming and confusing. With messages flooding their mail and phones, some express frustration and weariness, uncertain about what is truthful in political communications.
A CNN investigation has revealed that some seniors, especially those with cognitive challenges, are at risk of unintentionally making repeated donations due to automated donation setups.
Donation boxes are often pre-checked, leading to recurring contributions unless manually unchecked. This issue is exacerbated by messages that create a sense of urgency, sometimes giving seniors the impression that a candidate is reaching out directly to them.
Big Sky Senior Services Executive Director Tyler Amundson underscores that for seniors with memory issues, these messages can be misleading, making them believe in a personal connection with the campaign.
Amundson advises seniors to donate only through official sources, avoiding links in unsolicited messages, which may also protect them from potential scams.
The Montana election cycle is witnessing unprecedented fundraising efforts, with seniors being one of the highest donor groups.
However, as Amundson and others stress, seniors on fixed incomes need to be cautious to avoid unintentional contributions that strain their budgets. For those wishing to contribute, going directly to verified campaign websites is the safest route to ensure donations are intentional and secure.