STATE of

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.

60% OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEMOCRACY

29% PESSIMISTIC ABOUT DEMOCRACY

Pessimism Is Concentrated Among Republican Voters

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.

WHY ARE RESPONDENTS PESSIMISTIC?

13.1%

POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND LIES

DEMOCRATS/BIDEN IN POWER

10.3% 5.7%

POLARIZED PARTIES/ WE ARE DIVIDED

25.1% 6.9%

GENERALLY HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

5.7% 3.4% 4.6% 3.4% 4.6% 3.4%

THERE’S BROAD SUPPORT OF HANDLING OF 2022 ELECTION

83.5%

83.5% OF VOTERS APPROVED OF THE PROCESS BY WHICH THEY CAST THEIR VOTE, AND ONLY 12.7% DISAPPROVED OF THE PROCESS

12.7%

40.9% OF STRONG REPUBLICAN VOTERS STRONGLY APPROVE OF THE PROCESS OF CASTING THEIR VOTE

89.7%

VOTERS APPROVED THE WAY THEIR COMMUNITY HANDLED THE 2022 ELECTION.

69.5% STRONGLY APPROVED, AND ONLY 4.5% DISAPPROVED

75.3%

OF VOTERS BELIEVE THE ELECTION WAS ACCURATE, 13.3% SAID THE ELECTION WAS INACCURATE, AND 11.4% UNSURE

66% OF VOTERS SAID THEY TRUSTED THE COUNTY CLERKS AND SECRETARY OF STATE MOST FOR ACCURATE ELECTION RESULTS

11.8%

OF VOTERS DISAPPROVE OF HOW MICHIGAN HANDLED THE ELECTION, WITH 13.9% UNSURE

45.4%

50.6%

OF VOTERS STRONGLY APPROVE

VOTERS CITED THAT THE GREATEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT CANDIDATES CAME FROM THEIR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS OR TELEVISION STATIONS