THE PARTISAN DIVIDE GROWS

Spread Of Polarization Challenges Policy Makers

The partisanship that has been rampant in Washington, D.C. and state governments for decades is drifting into non-partisan issues that’s creating a growing challenge for the business community and policy makers.

The extreme polarization is growing increasingly pronounced and spreading to issues that are not inherently political – such as viewpoints on broader economic conditions, changes in automotive technology, and the value of education. The trend has major implications for states and businesses as they attempt to stay globally competitive and tackle complex issues.

The Detroit Regional Chamber and its polling partner The Glengariff Group, Inc. completed a statewide poll of 600 registered Michigan voters between Feb. 10 and Feb. 13, 2023 that shed light on these trends. The information can help leaders understand the growing disconnect between data and voter perceptions and the education needed to address the issue.

Escalating Polarization Poses Challenges For Business

ECONOMY IS GROWING

59% 15%

Democrats Republicans

SUPPORT SHIFT TO EVS

69% 20%

Democrats Republicans

COLLEGE IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY

34% 60% Democrats Republicans

SUPPORT STATE ASSISTANCE FOR TWO YEARS POST-HIGH SCHOOL

96% 66%

Democrats Republicans

WILL CONSIDER EV PURCHASE

54% 12%

Democrats Republicans

SUPPORT PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN EV INFRASTRUCTURE

85% 33%

Democrats Republicans

COLLEGE EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT

85% 65%

Democrats Republicans

Chamber Perspective

26.5% 27.5% 69% ONLY ONLY

OF VOTERS SAY A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LANDING A SUCCESSFUL JOB IN MICHIGAN

OF VOTERS SAID A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE WAS WORTH THE MONEY

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.”

OF VOTERS SAID A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATION IN A TRADE PROGRAM ARE THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF EDUCATION NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MICHIGAN

Only 5% of all jobs paying more than $64K in Michigan are held by people with an associate degree or who completed an apprenticeship, and unemployment rates for those with only a high school diploma are 2.7 times higher than those with a bachelor’s degree.

Though hardly a quarter of Michigan voters believe that a college education is “very important” to landing a successful job, as the world of work becomes more complex and global, additional skills will be needed by all.

VOTERS ARE SPLIT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES DESPITE MARKET SHARE PROJECTIONS AND CONSUMER DEMAND. ADOPTION VARIES BY POLITICAL PARTY.

46% OF VOTERS SUPPORT AUTOMAKERS' SHIFT TO EVS

44% OPPOSE THE SHIFT

18%

ONLY 71% WHILE believe the shift to EVs is due to consumer demand and market forces believe it's because of government actions or pressure from environmental activists

CONSIDER STRONG STRONG EV DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN WILL 57% 11%

WILL NOT 37% 84%

Chamber Perspective

AS A GLOBAL CENTER OF THE MOBILITY INDUSTRY, MICHIGAN IS AMONG A HANDFUL OF GLOBAL REGIONS POISED TO WIN AS THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EVOLVES. FOR THE STATE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN GLOBAL COMPETITION, THERE MUST BE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.

WITHOUT BUY-IN FROM THE PUBLIC, MICHIGAN RISKS ITS LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AUTOMOTIVE AND MOBILITY SECTOR AND COULD FALL BEHIND IN THE ELECTRIFICATION REVOLUTION UNDERWAY.