Heading Into the Mackinac Policy Conference, New Poll Reveals Voter Interest in More Education for Higher Pay, Optimism in the Future, Varying Institutional Trust

DETROIT (May 25, 2023) – Today, approaching the Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from a new statewide poll of registered Michigan voters, the latest in the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to understand Michiganders’ perceptions of timely economic and societal issues that affect business.

New to this poll are sections on institutional trust, optimism about the future, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also builds on critical findings from earlier this year on the perceived importance (or lack thereof) of higher education and continues monitoring voters’ sentiment on the state’s direction, economic conditions, and government leadership.

The Chamber’s polling partner, The Glengariff Group Inc., completed this statewide poll of 600 registered Michigan voters between May 7 and May 10, 2023.

“Whether it be questions on the economy or questions about trust, one common finding is that when the politics of the moment are removed from the equation, voters are both optimistic and can see some common ground,” said Richard Czuba, President of The Glengariff Group.

Optimism About the Future

 

The majority of Michigan voters are optimistic about the state’s and their own personal future:

65% are optimistic regarding Michigan’s future. 72% are optimistic regarding their own future.

But…

17% of Michigan voters would consider leaving Michigan.

 

Preparing for the Work Demands of the Future

 

Michigan voters with a high school diploma are open to two years of additional training (e.g., skilled trade, associate degree) for a better paying job (22% salary increase).

63% of high school graduates are open to two additional years of education or training to get a higher paying job. This number jumps to a remarkable 90% for those aged 18-29 if the education or training was made no-cost.

Additionally, Michigan voters support financial assistance to citizens to earn a skilled trade or associate degree.

80% of Michigan voters support state financial aid for two additional years of education or training after high school.*

These positive indications of interest in postsecondary education by Michiganders are encouraging as our businesses and economy demand higher skills in the workplace. However, these positive signs are contradicted by skepticism around the value of postsecondary education.

Only 8% of Michigan voters consider a four-year college degree to be the minimum level of education needed to be successful in Michigan.*

Only 27% of Michigan voters say a college education is very important to landing a successful job in Michigan.*

36% of Michigan voters consider a high school diploma to be the minimum level of education needed to be successful in Michigan.*

*February 2023 Detroit Regional Chamber Michigan Voter Poll

 

Are We Embracing Future Technology Like Our Grandparents Did?

 

As Michigan positions itself to be a leader in the growing electrification future, a surprising percentage of Michigan voters are skeptical of the auto industry’s shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electrification (EV).

According to the Chamber’s February 2023 poll, 18% of voters believe automotive companies are moving to EVs because of customer demand or market forces.* The balance believes it is due to pressure from environmentalists and/or government forces. 34% would consider an EV as their next vehicle* – below the rates seen in other areas of the nation and certainly the world.

*February 2023 Detroit Regional Chamber Michigan Voter Poll

Reality Check: EV Demand Forecast

35% U.S. new cars sales by 2035 (KMPG, February 2023)
50% Global new car sales by 2035 (Goldman Sachs, February 2023)

Education and Talent: Voters Interested in Additional Education, Training if it Leads to Higher Pay

 

Up to 63% of high school graduates are open to two additional years of education or training to get a higher paying job.

Respondents were asked their highest level of education. For those who said a high school diploma, they were asked if they would be interested in getting a job that paid on average 22% more in salary if it required two additional two years of education or training.

39.8% of respondents with only a high school diploma said they would be interested in a job that paid 22% more, even if it meant more education or training.

For the same group, that number increased to 63.4% when told the additional education or training would be free.

90% of those aged 18-29 with only a high school diploma are open to an additional two years of free education or training.

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Optimism and Opportunity: More than Half of Michigan Voters Optimistic About State’s Future, But 17% Plan to Leave

 

65% of Michigan voters are optimistic about the state’s future 10 years from now. 23.3% are pessimistic, while 11.8% are neutral or indifferent.

Democratic voters, voters under 40, and Black voters are the most optimistic about Michigan’s future.

72% of Michiganders are optimistic about their own future in Michigan. 17.3% are pessimistic, while 9.8% are indifferent or neutral.

Voters under 50 were statistically more optimistic about their own futures in Michigan than voters over 50.

Democratic voters were significantly more optimistic about their own futures in Michigan.

76.6% of college-educated voters were optimistic about their futures compared to 69.3% of non-college-educated voters.

75% of Michigan voters think the state will have the same or more opportunities 10 years from now. 15.3% said Michigan would have less opportunity.

Among the 18-29-year-old demographic, 54% said there would be more opportunity in 10 years, and only 5.7% said there would be less.

25% of Republican voters see less opportunity in Michigan in 10 years – the highest level of pessimism among any demographic group.

17% of Michiganders believe they will be living elsewhere in 10 years. 70.1% said they would be living in Michigan, while 12.1% of respondents were not sure.

The 17.3% believing they will be living elsewhere in 10 years cited the following reasons:

Only 55.2% of 18-29-year-old voters believe they will be living in Michigan in 10 years.

Black voters were the largest demographic group that does not see themselves living in Michigan in 10 years, with 31.9% believing they will be living elsewhere.

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Trust Index: CEOs, Media, Government Among Least-Trusted Entities

 

Michigan CEOs rank lowest in trust among respondents, at 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most trustworthy. CEOs also appear among the lowest-ranking categories (below 5.0) across all political affiliations.

Elected officials, media, and both Republican and Democratic voters also ranked below 6.

Respondents were read 13 different types of people in their local community and asked on a 1 to 10 (most trusted) scale how much they trust them.

The chart below compares the rankings among Strong Democrats, Independents, and Strong Republicans. It also compares rankings between white and Black respondents.

Among Democratic voters:

Among Independent voters:

Among Republican voters:

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Business and Social Issues: More Than Half of Voters Have Not Heard of DEI Programs; 70% Believe It’s Good for Business

 

Only 48% of Michigan voters have heard of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

51% have not heard of DEI programs.

When asked their opinions of DEI programs:

There are sharply different reactions between Republican voters and Democratic or Independent voters to DEI.

Respondents were read a standardized definition of DEI and asked if they thought it was important or not important.

By a margin of 78.9%-17.5%, voters believe DEI is important.

The chart below compares responses by party affiliation.

70% of voters believe DEI programs are good for business. 17.4% believe DEI programs are bad for business, while 12.5% of voters are unsure.

66% of Michigan voters say business has a role in the state’s social issues.

A majority of every demographic group believes businesses have a role in social issues.

74% of Michigan voters say business should be able to speak out on proposed legislation free from government retribution.

The lowest level of support was 65.9% among Strong Republican voters with only 22.9% of Strong Republicans saying businesses do not have the right to speak out free from retribution.

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Economic Indicators: Voters Continue to Perceive Personal Economic Conditions Positively, Remain Increasingly Pessimistic About Economy in General; Michiganders Consider the State on the Wrong Track for First Time Since May 2022

 

71% of Michigan voters believe the nation is on the wrong track, the highest percentage since polling began.

The wrong track numbers continue above 60% since December 2021.

By a margin of 41.9% right track to 46.3% wrong track, Michigan voters have narrowly flipped back to the wrong track for the first time since May 2022.

47% of Michigan voters continue to believe the state’s economy is on the wrong track, consistent with the sentiment reported in February 2023.

Those who believe the economy is on the wrong track were asked why they believe so; inflation continues to dominate the responses.

45% cited inflation as the reason they believe the state’s economy was on the wrong track in December 2022, increasing to 55.7% in February 2023.

Top issue facing Michigan voters shifts from inflation to economy and jobs, with inflation concerns falling from 25.3% in February 2023 to 11.5% in May 2023.

The economy and jobs is the top issue for Strong Republican voters at 16.2%. Gun control and crime is the top issue for Strong Democratic voters at 17.2%.

72% of Michigan voters say they are doing better or the same, up from 67% in February 2023. 26.1% are doing worse, 21.4% are doing better, and 51.0% are doing about the same.

The chart below compares how respondents have answered this question for the past five surveys.

In past surveys, Republican voters have driven the number that said they are doing worse, but that number dropped significantly from February to May. In February, 49.7% of Republicans reported doing worse compared to 38.5% in May.

75% of voters see the economy as weakening or in a recession, compared to 68% in February 2023.

The shift from February to May is mostly among Democratic voters.

Despite easing inflation, more voters expect inflation to get worse, up to 48% from 41% in February 2023.

When asked if inflation will get better, worse, or stay the same in the next year:

The percentage of voters expecting a recession next year grew from 50% to 56%.

The shift in perceptions is mostly among Democratic and Independent voters.

Despite growing inflation and recession concerns, only 17% of employed voters are concerned about losing their jobs, down from 19% in February 2023.

81.7% are not concerned.

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Whitmer, Legislature Approval Ratings Steady; Biden Approval Stays Low; Voter Motivation Dips Slightly

 

Whitmer’s job approval remains consistent at 55%.

Michigan voters approve of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s job performance by a margin of 54.9%-37%. The Governor’s job approval has been consistent in the mid-50s since the fall of 2021.

37% of Michigan voters approve of the State Legislature’s work.

Nearly 60% of Michigan voters disapprove of President Biden’s job performance.

49.2% of voters strongly disapprove of President Biden’s performance. These numbers are statistically unchanged from February 2023.

2024 motivation to vote sees minor dip, down to 8.9 from 9.1 in February 2023.

Voters were asked on a 1 to 10 scale how motivated they were to vote in next year’s Presidential election. The higher the number, the higher the motivation.

All party affiliations saw a minor decrease in motivation. Motivation among centrist voters is showing signs of weakening.

The chart below compares these motivation levels to past October election levels.

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About the Detroit Regional Chamber
Serving the business community for more than 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected chambers of commerce in the country. As the voice for business in the 11-county Southeast Michigan region, the Chamber’s mission is carried out by creating a business-friendly climate and providing value for members. The Chamber also executes the statewide automotive and mobility cluster association, MichAuto, and hosts the nationally recognized Mackinac Policy Conference. Additionally, the Chamber leads the most comprehensive education and talent strategy in the state.

About The Glengariff Group, Inc.
The Glengariff Group, Inc. is a full-service research firm providing survey research, focus group research, dial test research, and one-on-one interviewing. The Glengariff Group, Inc. provides more than just research and numbers; it provides recommendations on how best to use your information.