New Statewide Voter Poll Finds Increasingly Disparate Views on the Economy, Future Direction; Pronounced Partisan Differences Continue

DETROIT (March 2, 2023) – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from a new statewide poll of registered Michigan voters. The results reveal a growing gap between voters’ perceptions of economic conditions as well as a disconnect between where voters believe future economic needs and trends will be compared to the consensus of business leaders and economic forecasters. The Chamber’s polling partner, The Glengariff Group Inc., completed this statewide poll of 600 registered Michigan voters between Feb. 10 and Feb. 13, 2023.

“Part of the value of survey research is to understand whether leaders and voters are on the same page,” said Richard Czuba, President of The Glengariff Group, Inc. “On the economy, voters are pessimistic. On advanced education, a large segment of the population believes a high school diploma is enough. And on the move to vehicle electrification, a large block of voters appears reluctant. These numbers highlight the challenges leaders face in bringing voters along in these conversations.”

Only 26.5% of Michigan voters say a college education is VERY IMPORTANT to landing a successful job in Michigan. 

• 26.5% – Very important
• 44.4% – Somewhat important
• 11.6% – Not very important
• 11.5% – Not important at all

Responses varied by party affiliation.

Only 27.5% of voters said a four-year degree was WORTH THE MONEY, while 45.8% said it was NOT WORTH THE MONEY. Significantly, 39% of college voters said it was not worth the money.

• 27.5% – Worth the money
• 45.8% – Not worth the money
• 24.5% – It depends

51.2% of non-college voters said it was not worth the money.

59.6% of Republican voters, 48.8% of Independent voters, and 34.1% of Democratic voters said it was not worth the money.

68.7% of voters said a HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA or CERTIFICATION is the minimum level of education needed to be successful in Michigan.

• 35.8% – High school diploma
• 32.9% – Trade program certification
• 11.3% – Two-year associate degree
• 8.0% – At least some college courses
• 7.8% – Four-year college degree

Voters under 40 were the most likely to say a high school diploma was enough education to succeed.

By party affiliation, Republican voters were statistically more likely to say a high school diploma, while Democratic and Independent voters were more likely to say a trade certification or an associate degree.

By a margin of 80.0% to 16.3%, Michigan voters SUPPORT state financial aid for two additional years after high school for skills training, community college, or college for every student in Michigan.

Voters were also asked if they support or oppose providing state financial aid for students to get an education past high school.

77.7% of voters said they support some sort of financial aid, with 46.8% saying it should be offered to all students and 30.9% saying it should be based on income.

46.4% of voters SUPPORT automakers’ shift from gas-powered to electric vehicles, while 44.4% OPPOSE the shift.

33.4% of Michigan voters strongly oppose the shift to electric vehicles.

Metro Detroit voters support the shift by a margin of 53.3% to 32.4%. Outstate voters oppose the shift by a margin of 40.2% to 50.6%.

There is a clear partisan divide over electric vehicles.

When asked why they oppose the shift, three primary reasons emerge.

• 19.6% – Our electric grid cannot handle it.
• 18.4% – It is too expensive.
• 13.3% – We do not have the infrastructure for it.

When asked WHY they think the industry is shifting to electric vehicles, voters responded:

• 43.4% – Government regulations and incentives are moving the industry in that direction.
• 27.3% – Environmental activists are pressuring the automakers in that direction.
• 18.0% – Consumer demand and market forces are moving in that direction.

60.1% of voters said they would NOT CONSIDER an electric vehicle when it is time for their next vehicle purchase.

33.9% of voters said they would consider an electric vehicle, and only 4.0% said they already own an electric vehicle. 38.9% of Metro Detroit voters would consider an electric vehicle, while only 29.4% of outstate voters would consider one.

Three primary demographic drivers for this question were party affiliation, age, and income, with Democratic voters, voters under 30, and wealthier voters far more likely to consider an electric vehicle.

By a margin of 57.9% to 35.6%, Michigan voters SUPPORT efforts to invest in charging station infrastructure for electric vehicles.  

While Democratic and Independent voters support investing in the infrastructure, Republican voters strongly oppose investing in electric vehicle infrastructure.

By a margin of 22.6% right track to 64.6%, wrong track, Michigan voters believe the nation is on the WRONG TRACK, a measure that has been consistently above 60% since 2021.

By a margin of 46.4% right track to 42.9% wrong track, Michigan voters continue to narrowly believe the state is on the RIGHT TRACK.

By a margin of 38.9% right track to 48.1% wrong track, Michigan voters believe the state’s ECONOMY is on the WRONG TRACK.

Michigan’s economic “right track” rating fell from 41.0% in December 2022 to 38.9% in February 2023.

Contrary to the “wrong track” sentiments about the state’s economy overall, voters are confident in their own situations. Nearly 70% of voters say they are doing BETTER OR ABOUT THE SAME economically than in the past.

• 30.1% – Worse
• 26.3% – Better
• 42.3% – About the same

As with past surveys, Republican voters are driving the “doing worse” numbers.

Further demonstrating personal economic confidence, among those currently employed, only 19.2% say they are CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING THEIR CURRENT JOB, while 80.6% are not.

77.9% of voters believe there are good jobs for people looking for work. Only 16.1% said there is a lack of good jobs.

Inflation jumped as the primary reason voters believe Michigan is economically on the wrong track, up from 45% in December 2022 to 55.7% in February 2023.

• 55.7% – Inflation/cost of goods
• 7.6% – Anti-Biden/anti-Democratic
• 7.3% – No good jobs/unemployment
• 6.6% – Government subsidies/nobody wants to work
• 4.2% – Taxes/government spending

A quarter of Michigan voters consider INFLATION the most important issue facing Michigan today.

• 25.3% – Inflation/cost of goods
• 10.8% – The economy and jobs
• 10.5% – Roads and infrastructure
• 4.8% – Education quality and funding
• 4.0% – Taxes and government spending

Two-thirds of voters see the economy WEAKENING or in a RECESSION.

• 6.0% – The economy is seeing strong growth.
• 24.3% – The economy is seeing growth but slow growth.
• 50.1% – The economy is weakening but not in a recession.
• 17.6% – The economy is in a recession.

A majority of Democratic voters see growth, but an overwhelming majority of Republican and Independent voters see a weakening economy.

49.6% of voters expect the nation to be in a RECESSION next year, while 37.6% expect the economy to be GROWING.

Democrats are sharply positive, Republicans are sharply negative, and Independent voters are mildly negative.

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

• 40.9% – Get worse
• 29.5% – Stay about the same
• 23.5% – Get better

Only Strong Democratic voters believe inflation will get better. All other party affiliations believe inflation will get worse over the next year.

Two-thirds of voters go to work IN PERSON; one-third have HYBRID jobs.

65.9% of workers have a job that requires them to go into work, 21.7% of workers have a hybrid workplace, and 12.4% of workers work from home.

The most significant statistical differences in job types were by education and income levels. College-educated workers and those with incomes above $75,000 were disproportionately more likely to work from home, at least partially.

Of the workers working from home or with a hybrid job, 83.3% said that it is important to them to be able to work at least part time from home. 65.9% of these workers say it is very important. Those under 50 were significantly more likely to say it is very important to them.

Over half of workers under 40 would look for a new job if required to work in-office full time.

Workers that work at least part time from home were asked if their employer required them to come in all the time, would they go into the office or look for a new job?

• 53.0% – Would go into the office
• 33.3% – Would look for a new job
• 9.1% – Would depend on the situation

These responses differed most significantly by age.

29.5% of workers shared that their employer OFFERS EXTRA AMENITIES, with the majority citing food and beverage offerings.

• 47.4% – Lunches
• 23.7% – Drinks
• 19.3% – Snacks and food
• 9.6% – Games
• 9.6% – Parties and social interactions
• 8.8% – Gifts/gift cards
• 7.9% – Gym/fitness center
• 5.3% – Bonuses
• 5.3% – Flexible scheduling
• 2.6% – Travel/work retreats
• 2.6% – Discounts

77.2% of these workers say these amenities are important, with 43.0% saying they are very important to them.

Voter motivation is trending STRONG for 2024, like the past three years.

Voters were asked on a one-to-10 scale how motivated they are to vote in next year’s presidential election, with 10 being the highest level of motivation. More than a year and a half out from that election, voter motivation is at 9.1, consistent with high voter turnout in recent elections.

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

Whitmer’s job approval STAYS CONSISTENT at 54.2%.

Michigan voters approve of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s job performance by a margin of 54.2% to 36.1%. These numbers have been consistent since Fall 2021.

Biden faces DROPPING APPROVAL rates.

Michigan voters disapprove of President Joe Biden’s job performance by a margin of 35.3% to 57.9%, down from a 40% approval rate in December 2022. 49.1% of voters strongly disapprove of his performance.

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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.