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State of Democracy

April 12, 2023

In order to help promote the connection between a healthy economy and democracy – and raise awareness about the overall importance of our form of representative government – the Detroit Regional Chamber is releasing its first ever State of Democracy data.

Drawing much of its content from its Michigan Voter Poll released in December 2022, the State of Democracy offers a snapshot of how Michiganders feel about how our elections are functioning. It is designed to provide policymakers and business leaders key insight on the importance of elections, access to voting, and overall faith in democracy, as they chart the course ahead.

sandy baruah

“Michiganders appear to be expressing a collective sigh of relief post-election day with an increased confidence in our voting process, calls for a centrist agenda in Lansing, and confidence in Governor Whitmer as she embarks on her second term.” – Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber

Voters Feel Good About Democracy

The Detroit Regional Chamber has worked with premier research firm and polling partner, The Glengariff Group Inc., over the past three years on a ongoing series of perception polls of registered voters in Michigan. The Glengariff Group conducted a statewide poll of 600 registered Michigan voters between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, 2022. Highlights can be found throughout the issue.

 

Pessimism is Concentrated Among Republican Voters

 

There’s Broad Support of Handling of 2022 Election

66% of voters said they trusted the county clerks and Secretary of State most for accurate election results.

 

45.4% of voters cited that the greatest source of information about candidates came from their local newspapers or television series.

The Prop 3 Impact

Total 2022 Voter Registration Increased to More Than 4.5M Voters in the Detroit Region

In 2018, Michigan passed Michigan Proposal 18-3 expanding voting rights, which allows citizens to register to vote anytime with proof of residency and become automatically registered to vote when applying for, updating, or renewing a driver’s license or state‑issued personal identification card unless the person declines. In 2022, total voter registration reached a decade high with more than 4.5 million voters registered in the Detroit Region.

Turnout Exceeded 2.4M in Detroit Region for 2022 Midterm Election

High voter turnout is fundamental to a healthy democracy. Registered voter turnout rate tends to be higher during presidential elections. For the 2020 presidential election, the region’s registered-voter turnout increased to 69%, with over 3.0 million ballots cast in the region. In the 2022 midterm elections, more than 2.4 million ballots were cast in the region, producing the highest number of ballots in a midterm election in a decade.

Source: State of Michigan Secretary of State Office

Supporting Sensible Voter Reforms

 

The Detroit Regional Chamber has a long history of supporting sensible, bipartisan voting reforms that increase voter access and preserve election integrity. It supported 2018’s Proposal 3 and continues to advocate for changes that strengthen our elections and help more people vote.

 

Returned Absentee Ballots in Detroit Region is Up 76% in 2022 Election From 2018