Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from its latest statewide poll of 600 registered Michigan voters in partnership with the Glengariff Group, Inc. The poll was conducted between Sept. 12-15, 2024.
Learn more about this poll and other recent chamber polling during an exclusive event with Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah and Glengariff Group’s Richard Czuba at the Detroit Athletic Club on Monday, Oct. 21
“Michigan is at a critical pivot point between peril and promise. The U.S. economy – both in the short and long term – continues to be the envy of the world. But for Michigan to reap economic benefits, it must innovate, adapt, and prepare. This poll marks a watershed understanding of the challenges both policymakers and business leaders face: too many are not interested in adapting to economic realities.
While many voters understand the importance of Michigan competing in the innovation economy, securing the individual skills demanded of the 21st century, and growing both our economy and population, a significant percentage of voters are unwilling to embrace these new realities. That’s enough to make policy change difficult.
While the U.S. will continue to grow, Michigan’s participation in that growth and success is not a given. We will have to work for it.”
– Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
“We now see a major disconnect with many voters having serious concerns about Michigan’s preparedness for coming changes in the economy. And yet, those same voters show a limited willingness to prepare and engage with that future economy. It’s not just that voters aren’t willing to get the skills to fill future automotive jobs — it appears many Michigan voters, because of their politics, don’t even want those future automotive jobs in Michigan. At some point, all Michiganders will face the economic reality that if these new automotive jobs are not welcome in Michigan now, the future automotive industry will quickly be welcomed somewhere else.
– Richard Czuba, President, The Glengariff Group, Inc.
Chamber Perspective
Adoption of new technologies and higher levels of degree attainment are key ingredients to thriving economies. In fact, the State recently reported that 42 out of the 50 – or 84% – of the “hot jobs” in the state over the next decade will require a bachelor’s degree. Data like this reinforces why the Chamber established the goal to achieve 60% post-high school educational attainment by 2030 – a goal since adopted by the State of Michigan.
However, these poll results point to a clear disconnect between Michigan voters’ interests and their intentions. Though most voters support developing an advanced technology economy in the state, many are not willing to do the work to bring it to fruition – evident in their reluctance to embrace new technologies or pursue the higher levels of education required to thrive in the jobs needed to support such innovation.
Despite businesses’ advocacy to improve accessibility to new technologies and educational attainment, such as the Chamber’s support of a “K – 12 + 2” educational approach, which would allow graduating high school students to receive a tuition-free associate degree or skilled certificate at a community college, Michigan voters express apprehension about developments underway. This mindset stands to jeopardize the state’s ability to compete in the emerging innovation economy.
Nearly half of Michigan voters said Michigan is unprepared for the economy of the future.
The 47% of respondents who said Michigan is unprepared were asked why in an open-ended question:
| 16.2% | Lack of training/education. |
| 15.8% | Young people do not want to work. |
| 13.0% | Cost of living/inflation. |
| 10.6% | Lack of good-paying jobs. |
| 6.0% | Joe Biden/Democrats are a problem. |
| 3.2% | We rely on the automobile industry too much. |
| 3.2% | Our political leadership. |
Outstate voters, Republican voters, and rural and small-town voters were the most likely to believe Michigan was unprepared:
| Party | Prepared | Unprepared |
| Strong Democratic | 59.4% | 27.8% |
| Leaning Democratic | 61.5% | 26.9% |
| Independent | 35.6% | 49.2% |
| Leaning Republican | 28.8% | 52.5% |
| Strong Republican | 12.6% | 70.1% |
| Region | Prepared | Unprepared |
| Out State | 33.9% | 51.1% |
| Metro | 42.8% | 42.5% |
| Type of Town | Prepared | Unprepared |
| Urban | 45.4% | 44.4% |
| Suburban | 40.9% | 41.8% |
| Small Town | 35.6% | 49.6% |
| Rural | 31.3% | 53.1% |
76% of Michigan voters support developing an advanced technology economy in Michigan.
Voters were asked if they support or oppose Michigan developing an advanced technology economy similar to other high-tech areas of the world. Fifty-three percent of voters – a majority – strongly support developing an advanced technology economy. Again, this support does not align with voters’ willingness to embrace the technology and education required to bring it to fruition.
Strong Republican voters were the least supportive and the most opposed to an advanced technology economy.
| Party | Strongly Support | Somewhat Support | Overall Oppose |
| Strong Democratic | 62.6% | 23.5% | 8.5% |
| Leaning Democratic | 50.0% | 28.8% | 7.7% |
| Independent | 54.2% | 17.8% | 16.9% |
| Leaning Republican | 67.8% | 16.9% | 6.8% |
| Strong Republican | 37.4% | 28.2% | 22.9% |
By age, younger voters are most opposed to an advanced technology economy, while voters over 50 are strongly supportive.
| Age | Strongly Support | Somewhat Support | Overall Oppose |
| 18-29 | 48.9% | 17.0% | 20.4% |
| 30-39 | 48.5% | 25.8% | 17.5% |
| 40-49 | 49.6% | 23.1% | 19.0% |
| 50-64 | 58.0% | 24.1% | 10.5% |
| 65+ | 55.4% | 24.6% | 8.4% |
Chamber Perspective
Surprisingly, younger voters are more opposed to an advanced technology economy, which poses a particular challenge. This younger demographic is key to securing Michigan’s population and economic growth as the state faces an increasingly aging and shrinking population. Young talent is also critical to the future of high-tech industries, including automotive and mobility and advanced manufacturing. Appealing to this audience’s needs and preferences is essential, but there clearly is work to be done to establish more universal buy-in into the innovations that will drive the state’s long-term economic strength and competitiveness. This raises the importance of creating excitement about the high-tech careers available across Michigan’s top industry through efforts like the MichAuto’s You Drive the Future.
Educational attainment is not as big of a differentiator as party affiliation or age.
Only 16% of voters say Michigan is very prepared to compete in the global economy in the next 10 years.
| 25.0% | say Michigan was not prepared to compete. |
| 49.5% | say Michigan was not somewhat prepared. |
Rural voters and Republican voters say Michigan was least prepared to compete in the next 10 years. Conversely, only 8.0% of Democratic voters say Michigan is unprepared to compete.
| Party | Very Prepared | Somewhat Prepared | Not Prepared |
| Strong Democratic | 26.2% | 56.1% | 8.0% |
| Leaning Democratic | 21.2% | 59.6% | 7.7% |
| Independent | 13.6% | 47.5% | 32.2% |
| Leaning Republican | 5.1% | 54.2% | 25.5% |
| Strong Republican | 9.8% | 39.7% | 41.9% |
| Type of Town | Very Prepared | Somewhat Prepared | Not Prepared |
| Urban | 18.5% | 55.6% | 22.2% |
| Suburban | 17.3% | 50.7% | 20.7% |
| Small Town | 14.8% | 53.3% | 24.4% |
| Rural | 13.3% | 40.6% | 33.6% |
40% of Michigan voters believe the state’s economy would grow as fast as leading peer regions.
Voters were asked if, in 25 years, they thought Michigan’s economy would grow as fast as regions like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and Austin:
| 38.9% | of voters say Michigan’s economy will grow as fast. |
| 28.8% | of voters say Michigan’s economy will NOT grow as fast. |
| 32.3% | of voters say they did not know. |
The 28.8% of voters who said Michigan’s economy will not grow as fast were asked why in an open-ended question:
| 14.9% | Michigan isn’t attractive enough. |
| 12.1% | Focus on autos/past. |
| 10.3% | Our politics/politicians. |
| 9.2% | Lack of population/population too old. |
| 9.2% | We are not as good as those areas. |
| 8.0% | Lack of tech focus. |
| 8.0% | Lack of good jobs. |
| 7.5% | Geography and/or weather. |
| 4.0% | Lack of skilled workers. |
| 4.0% | Bad business climate. |
The sharpest differences were based on party affiliation.
| Party | Will Grow | Will Not Grow | Don’t Know |
| Strong Democratic | 52.4% | 20.3% | 27.3% |
| Leaning Democratic | 57.7% | 17.3% | 25.0% |
| Independent | 34.7% | 32.2% | 33.1% |
| Leaning Republican | 27.1% | 42.4% | 30.5% |
| Strong Republican | 26.4% | 33.9% | 39.7% |
A majority of non-college voters are not willing to go back to school for a $64,000 job.
Voters who are in the workforce and do not have a college degree were told that 80% of jobs in Michigan that pay more than $64,000 require four years of college. They were asked if they would be willing to get additional schooling to get one of those jobs.
| 54.4% | Not willing to get additional schooling. |
| 39.1% | Willing to get additional schooling. |
| 4.7% | It would depend. |
These results reinforce the disconnect between Michigan voters’ interest in – and even support for – an advanced technology economy in the state and their intentions to participate in its development.
The 54.4% of non-college-educated voters in the workforce were asked why they would not be willing to get additional schooling in an open-ended question:
| 31.6% | I already make at least that much. |
| 12.8% | I’m too old. |
| 10.3% | Don’t want debt or it is expensive. |
| 7.7% | You can make that without a degree. |
| 6.8% | I like my current job. |
| 6.8% | I own my own business. |
| 6.0% | College is not for me. |
| 4.3% | I do not want to go back to school. |
| 3.4% | I do not need to make more. |
There were major differences among non-college-educated voters in the workforce based on party affiliation, age, race, and location.
Chamber Perspective
Although more than 50% of non-college-educated Michigan voters say they would not be willing to get extra schooling, previous Chamber polling (May 2023) indicated that if offered two years of additional education or training for free, 63.4% of those with just a high school diploma would be willing to pursue it. This went up to 90% among 18-29-year-olds with just a high school diploma.
This data supports the rationale that a “K – 12 + 2″ approach to education in Michigan would be a valuable tool to increase degree attainment across the state and make headway toward the Chamber’s “Sixty by 30” goal. It would guarantee access to and set the expectation for every Michigan student to complete formalized training beyond high school – whether a skilled certificate, associate degree, or, ideally, a four-year degree or beyond. Strategies like that are critical as the value of an education continues to decrease[1] in importance to many Michigan voters, with only about a quarter considering a college education “very important” to landing a successful job in Michigan.
[1] Source: Detroit Regional Chamber Michigan Voter Poll – March 2023
Non-college voters under 30 were most willing to get additional education.
| Age | Yes | No |
| 18-29 | 52.8% | 35.8% |
| 30-39 | 44.2% | 51.2% |
| 40-49 | 39.6% | 52.8% |
| 50-64 | 22.8% | 73.7% |
| 65+ | 33.3% | 66.7% |
Urban and small-town voters were most willing to get additional education, but rural voters were most sharply opposed to additional education.
| Type of Town | Yes | No |
| Urban | 52.0% | 48.0% |
| Suburban | 39.2% | 58.1% |
| Small Town | 48.9% | 38.3% |
| Rural | 14.3% | 76.2% |
A large majority of non-college-educated Black voters were open to more education. But non-college-educated white voters were opposed by a two-to-one margin.
| Race | Yes | No |
| Black | 71.0% | 29.0% |
| White | 31.9% | 61.9% |
Chamber Perspective
The perception numbers on this topic are deeply concerning as they indicate a reluctance by many to adopt new technologies or accept the inevitable change they will create. Worse yet, they signal a sense of “surrender” of Michigan’s signature automotive and mobility industry to domestic and international competitors as the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) takes hold elsewhere while facing substantial opposition in Michigan, particularly in rural areas.
Michigan has experienced similar shifts and challenges before. In the 1970s and ‘80s, many in Michigan downplayed the competitive threat from foreign competition – quality and fuel efficiency were not taken seriously, and Michigan’s signature industry fell behind and never fully recovered. Now, the companies leading the industry know better; it is public perception that may get the state left behind as the industry continues to innovate and as other states build momentum in this space.
It is simple: growing states don’t walk away from new jobs.
The opposition to EV jobs and Michigan competing for new battery plants is a threat to the economy that cannot be ignored. History shows technological change has always been a net job creator. The question for Michiganders is, will we be part of the net jobs created by evolving technology or those lost as we let it pass us by? Michiganders must choose.
Without buy-in from the public, Michigan’s leadership position in the highly competitive automotive and mobility sector is at risk. It has already succumbed to Georgia,[2] as the state with the second-largest share of EV- and battery-related announced investments. These same conversations aren’t happening to this extent in peer states like Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas, where more significant investments and progress are being made.
[2] Source: Center for Automotive Research, Book of Deals 2023, Investments 2018-2023, year-to-date
Voters split on whether EV sales will increase.
Voters were told that EVs account for 6.8% of vehicles sold in the United States and asked if, in the next 10 years, they thought sales would or would not increase significantly.
| 47.8% | of voters think sales will increase significantly. |
| 45.9% | of voters do not think sales will increase significantly. |
Democratic voters and younger voters were the most likely to believe that sales will increase over the next 10 years.
| Party | Will Increase | Will Not Increase |
| Strong Democratic | 70.1% | 21.9% |
| Leaning Democratic | 67.3% | 30.8% |
| Independent | 38.1% | 54.2% |
| Leaning Republican | 37.3% | 54.2% |
| Strong Republican | 29.9% | 66.7% |
| Age | Will Increase | Will Not Increase |
| 18-29 | 68.2% | 27.3% |
| 30-39 | 61.9% | 34.0% |
| 40-49 | 39.7% | 55.4% |
| 50-64 | 42.0% | 51.9% |
| 65+ | 37.7% | 51.5% |
Chamber Perspective
The global market is moving to EVs, whether some like it or not. In China, for instance, the country saw 8.1 million new EV registrations in 2023, compared to 1.4 million in the U.S.[3] Though slowly, EV market share in the U.S. is growing, up to 9.3% in 2023 from 2.3% in 2020. As many voters recognize the importance of competing with international leaders like China and out-competing other states like Texas for new plants and investments, they must realize the only way to accomplish this is by embracing the emerging technologies and changes that are occurring across the industry worldwide. Michigan alone cannot stave off global market forces. All evidence indicates that EVs will be a significant force in the automotive industry. Should Michigan be unable – or unwilling – to compete and win in this future market, the future of our signature industry is in peril.
[3] Source: International Energy Agency
Michigan voters think China leads as the country leading EV technology development by a nine-point margin.
| 37.4% | China |
| 28.3% | United States |
| 10.3% | Japan |
| 7.0% | Europe |
| 2.8% | South Korea |
| 13.7% | Don’t know |
Nearly 60% of Michigan voters believe it is important to beat China in the EV market.
| 27.6% | say it is somewhat important. |
| 31.3% | say it is very important. |
| 14.6% | say it is not that important. |
| 22.5% | say it is not important at all. |
Party affiliation was the driving demographic as to whether voters think it is important to beat China in the EV market.
| Party | Important | Not Important |
| Strong Democratic | 75.4% | 20.4% |
| Leaning Democratic | 69.2% | 26.9% |
| Independent | 55.1% | 42.4% |
| Leaning Republican | 40.8% | 44.1% |
| Strong Republican | 45.4% | 50.0% |
Outstate, rural, republican voters say the U.S. should not compete for EV manufacturing.
Voters were asked if the United States should compete aggressively to be the leader of EV manufacturing.
| 48.0% | believe the U.S. should compete to be the leader of EV manufacturing. |
| 42.4% | do not believe the U.S. should compete to be the leader of EV manufacturing. |
Support for competing was centered around Metro Detroit voters, Democratic voters, and urban and suburban voters. Republican and Independent voters, outstate voters, and rural voters do not think the U.S. should compete.
| Party | Compete | Do Not Compete |
| Strong Democratic | 74.9% | 16.6% |
| Leaning Democratic | 65.4% | 21.2% |
| Independent | 39.0% | 50.0% |
| Leaning Republican | 40.7% | 50.8% |
| Strong Republican | 24.1% | 67.8% |
| Region | Compete | Do Not Compete |
| Outstate | 41.7% | 47.6% |
| Metro | 55.1% | 36.5% |
| Type of Town | Compete | Do Not Compete |
| Urban | 53.7% | 38.0% |
| Suburban | 57.8% | 33.3% |
| Small Town | 41.5% | 46.7% |
| Rural | 30.5% | 59.4% |
A narrow majority says Michigan should compete to be a leader in EV manufacturing.
Voters were asked if Michigan should compete aggressively to be the leader of EV manufacturing.
| 50.3% | of Michigan voters believe Michigan should compete to be the leader of EV manufacturing. |
| 44.9% | of Michigan voters do not believe Michigan should compete to be the leader of EV manufacutring. |
As with the previous question, Republican, Independent, outstate, and rural voters all believe Michigan should not compete to be the center of EV manufacturing.
| Party | Compete | Do Not Compete |
| Strong Democratic | 80.2% | 16.6% |
| Leaning Democratic | 76.9% | 17.3% |
| Independent | 33.1% | 59.3% |
| Leaning Republican | 40.7% | 50.8% |
| Strong Republican | 24.7% | 71.8% |
| Region | Compete | Do Not Compete |
| Outstate | 40.1% | 53.6% |
| Metro | 61.8% | 35.1% |
| Type of Town | Compete | Do Not Compete |
| Urban | 58.3% | 36.1% |
| Suburban | 60.0% | 36.0% |
| Small Town | 47.4% | 46.7% |
| Rural | 28.9% | 66.4% |
70% of Michigan voters say to match Texas’ offer for an EV plant.
Voters were asked if an EV plant with 1,500 good wage jobs was choosing between Michigan and Texas, would they support or oppose the state matching an incentive package to lure the jobs to Michigan.
By a margin of 69.9%-23.3%, Michigan voters support matching any offer from Texas to lure the jobs to Michigan. 47.5% of voters strongly support matching the incentive package. Only 14.9% strongly oppose the incentive package.
All demographic groups support matching Texas’ incentive package for the EV plant. The strongest opposition comes from Strong Republican voters (37.9% opposed) and rural voters (32.8% opposed).
56.9% support luring a Chinese battery plant going to Mexico.
Voters were asked if a Chinese battery plant with 2,000 good wage jobs was choosing between Mexico and Michigan, would they support or oppose the state offering an incentive package to lure the battery plant to Michigan?
By a margin of 56.9%-36.6%, Michigan voters support luring the Chinese plant to Michigan instead of Mexico. 39.7% strongly support offering the incentive package. 30.0% strongly oppose offering the incentive package.
Republican and rural voters would oppose luring the battery plant to Michigan instead of Mexico.
| Party | Support | Oppose |
| Strong Democratic | 78.1% | 16.0% |
| Leaning Democratic | 84.6% | 13.4% |
| Independent | 45.8% | 42.3% |
| Leaning Republican | 42.4% | 50.9% |
| Strong Republican | 41.9% | 55.2% |
| Type of Town | Support | Oppose |
| Urban | 63.9% | 26.8% |
| Suburban | 64.0% | 32.0% |
| Small Town | 51.9% | 37.0% |
| Rural | 45.3% | 52.4% |
Chamber Perspective
Significantly, a majority of voters feel Michigan is on the right track. For the first time in several years, inflation doesn’t appear to be a primary concern for Michiganders and concerns about a recession are dropping. Surprisingly, fears around EVs and the economic transformation on the horizon are starting to eclipse economic concerns – shifting the ongoing perception-reality disconnect into disconnects about the future.
Negativity around the state of the economy – to varying degrees of severity based on political affiliation – remains a concern, especially amid a fundamentally solid economy. Although GDP has been growing – near or above a rate of 3% – since Q3 of 2022, and inflation is down to 2.5% in August 2024 – the lowest rate since February 2021[4], more than half of Michigan voters continue to believe the economy is weakening or in a recession.
More than ever, instead of actual economic conditions, voters’ politics significantly impact their perceptions of the economy. The slight improvements emerging in general economic perceptions are driven largely by Democratic voters as Republican voters continue to firmly believe the economy is weakening. Responses also point to the softening of the job market, with concern about losing employment ticking up slightly. This is an area where location – more than political affiliation – is impacting results. Only 19% of Metro Detroit voters report having trouble finding a good job, whereas outstate voters’ responses are up to 34.5% – double the rate from May 2024.
[4] Source: Detroit Regional Chamber – Economic Indicators
A majority of Michigan voters now say the state is on the right track.
Michigan voters have moved sharply in the direction that the state is on the right track.
| 53.1% | of Michigan voters now say the state is on the right track. |
| 39.7% | of Michigan voters now say the state is on the wrong track. |
The 53.1% represents an 11-point gain from the May 2024 survey and the best right-track number over the past four years.
| Survey | Right | Wrong |
| Jan. 2020 | 44.5% | 26.2% |
| Oct. 2020 | 44.9% | 41.3% |
| Feb. 2021 | 46.6% | 38.9% |
| May 2021 | 40.4% | 45.2% |
| Sept. 2021 | 38.7% | 47.2% |
| Dec. 2021 | 31.7% | 52.8% |
| May 2022 | 31.7% | 50.1% |
| Dec. 2022 | 47.9% | 42.8% |
| Feb. 2023 | 46.4% | 42.9% |
| May 2023 | 41.9% | 46.3% |
| Nov. 2023 | 40.6% | 47.0% |
| May 2024 | 42.1% | 41.2% |
| Sept. 2024 | 53.1% | 39.7% |
These gains are driven by increases among Strong Democratic, Leaning Democratic, and Independent voters. Leaning Democratic voters saw a 30.6% increase. But Republican voters remain unchanged from the May 2024 survey.
| Party | May Right Track | Sept. Right Track | Shift |
| Strong Democratic | 76.3% | 88.2% | +11.9% |
| Leaning Democratic | 55.9% | 86.5% | +30.6% |
| Independent | 39.1% | 50.0% | +10.9% |
| Leaning Republican | 29.8% | 28.8% | -1.0% |
| Strong Republican | 16.4% | 14.9% | -1.5% |
Though Michigan voters narrowly believe the state’s economy is on the wrong track (43.7% right track to 47.4% wrong track), that perception has notably improved from May 2024, when the margin was 39.2% right track to 51.7% wrong track.
| Survey | Right | Wrong |
| May 2022 | 31.7% | 50.1% |
| Nov. 2022 | 41.0% | 48.9% |
| Feb. 2023 | 38.9% | 48.1% |
| May 2023 | 37.0% | 46.5% |
| Nov. 2023 | 36.1% | 50.2% |
| May 2024 | 39.2% | 51.7% |
| Sept. 2024 | 42.7% | 47.4% |
The slight improvement comes from Strong Democratic and Leaning Democratic voters. Independent voters continue to believe Michigan’s economy is on the wrong track, and Republican voters believe the state’s economy is on the wrong track by a more significant margin.
| Party | Economy Right | Economy Wrong |
| Strong Democratic | 74.3% | 14.4% |
| Leaning Democratic | 75.0% | 13.5% |
| Independent | 39.0% | 50.8% |
| Leaning Republican | 16.9% | 74.6% |
| Strong Republican | 13.2% | 79.3% |
The 47.4% of voters who believe Michigan’s economy is on the wrong track were asked why in an open-ended question.
60.4% of these voters cited inflation or the cost of goods, wages being too low, or the cost of gas, and 52.8% cited inflation specifically. In May 2024, 42.9% specifically cited inflation.
| 52.8% | Inflation/cost of goods. |
| 10.5% | No good jobs/unemployment. |
| 10.1% | Anti-Biden/Democrats. |
| 4.5% | Wages are too low/not paying enough. |
| 3.1% | Cost of gas. |
Fears of increasing inflation have dropped significantly over the past year, down to 15.6% from 44.9% in November 2023.
| Survey Period | Worse | Better | Same |
| Nov. 2023 | 44.9% | 17.2% | 33.2% |
| May 2024 | 33.1% | 16.6% | 31.1% |
| Sept. 2024 | 15.6% | 31.3% | 33.4% |
Recession fears continue to drop, down notably to 20.5% from 50.5% in November 2023.
| Survey Period | Expect Recession Next Year |
| Feb. 2023 | 49.6% |
| May 2023 | 56.3% |
| Nov. 2023 | 50.5% |
| May 2024 | 29.6% |
| Sept. 2024 | 20.5% |
Results from this survey also point to a 12.2% drop in the number of those who see the economy weakening or in recession since November 2023.
62% of Michigan voters say they are doing better or the same economically, a two-point increase.
Voters were asked if they were doing better, worse, or about the same economically as a year ago.
| 20.4% | are doing better. |
| 41.4% | are doing the same. |
| 37.1% | are doing worse. |
Chamber Perspective
The Chamber has been asking this question and tracking the results in its polls for almost three years now, and the story has remained largely the same: voters continue to view their own economic conditions more positively than general economic conditions. Misinformation and politicization contribute to this perception disconnect and pose significant challenges to fostering unified approaches to further develop the economy and continue economic progress.
The chart below compares how respondents have answered this question for the past eight surveys.
NOTE: The November 2023 and May 2024 surveys asked respondents how they were doing compared to before COVID-19. All other surveys asked how they were doing compared to the past year.
| Condition | Dec. 21 | May 22 | Dec. 22 | Feb. 23 | May 23 | Nov. 23 | May 24 | Sept. 24 |
| Worse | 24.3% | 28.0% | 33.3% | 30.1% | 26.1% | 38.4% | 38.1% | 37.1% |
| Better | 25.5% | 22.7% | 21.1% | 26.3% | 21.4% | 22.6% | 26.2% | 20.4% |
| Same | 48.0% | 48.0% | 45.3% | 42.3% | 51.0% | 38.0% | 33.6% | 41.4% |
The voters who say they are doing worse say it is because of high costs or not being able to earn enough.
A majority of Michigan voters say good jobs are available.
Voters were asked if there were good-paying jobs available for anyone who wants to work.
| 58.6% | of voters said good jobs are available, a slight decrease from 62.7% in May 2024. |
| 24.8% | said good jobs are not available, an increase from 20.7% in May 2024. |
Nearly 80% of Michigan voters who are currently employed are not concerned about losing their current job.
| 79.7% | say they are not concerned about losing their current job, up slightly from 14.3% in May 2024. |
| 19.9% | say they are concerned about losing their |
Only 4.2% are very concerned about losing their jobs, statistically consistent with 4.4% in May 2024. Voters who are somewhat concerned about losing their jobs increased from 9.9% in May 2024 to 15.7% in September 2024.
Nearly three-quarters of Michigan voters have not had trouble finding a good-paying job.
| 72.3% | of voters have not had a problem finding a good-paying job. |
| 27.0% | of voters have had trouble, an increase from 21.4% in May 2024. |
While these numbers continue to indicate overall confidence in employment, much of the variance noted is based on voters’ geography.
The greatest shift among those having trouble finding a good-paying job has been among rural and small-town voters. Urban voters’ trouble finding a good-paying job has actually dropped significantly.
| Type of Town | May 2024 Trouble | Sept. 2024 Trouble | Shift |
| Urban | 45.5% | 28.6% | -16.9% |
| Suburban | 17.8% | 22.0% | +4.2% |
| Small Town | 18.1% | 31.7% | +13.6% |
| Rural | 10.5% | 27.6% | 17.l% |
In Metro Detroit, the number of those having trouble finding a good-paying job has dropped from 26.1% to 19.1% – a drop of seven percentage points. In outstate Michigan, the number of those having trouble finding a good-paying job has increased from 17.0% to 34.5% – doubling from May 2024.
Over half of Michigan voters see the economy weakening or in recession.
Voters were asked which statement best reflects their view of the economy:
| 8.4% | The economy is seeing strong growth. |
| 32.0% | The economy is seeing growth but slow growth. |
| 40.4% | The economy is weakening, but we are not in a recession. |
| 16.1% | The economy is in a recession. |
The chart below compares economic perceptions from November 2023 to September 2024. The comparison shows a slight improvement in perceptions among Democratic and Independent voters, but Republican voters’ perceptions remain unchanged.
| Party | Growing (Nov. 23) | Weakening (Nov. 23) | Growing (Sept. 2024) | Weakening (Sept. 2024) | Growth Increase |
| Strong Democratic | 55.1% | 42.5% | 77.1% | 18.7% | +22.0% |
| Leaning Democratic | 53.7% | 42.6% | 69.2% | 23.1% | +15.5% |
| Independent | 22.8% | 74.3% | 35.6% | 61.0% | +12.8% |
| Leaning Republican | 6.8% | 93.2% | 10.2% | 88.1% | +3.4% |
| Strong Republican | 6.4% | 82.4% | 6.9% | 92.0% | +0.5% |
Voters are most worried about putting money aside.
Voters were asked, as they think about their financial position, which of the following worries them the most:
| 17.5% | Setting aside money for retirement. |
| 15.9% | Setting aside money for savings. |
| 9.9% | Being able to afford food. |
| 8.6% | Paying for rent or a mortgage. |
| 6.8% | Worrying about future debt and bills. |
Chamber Perspective
With the 2024 presidential election nearing, tensions are heightened beyond the already politically charged climate the country has faced in recent years. This is especially clear in this poll’s findings around voters’ concerns about the nation remaining calm after the election. Similar sentiments were evident in the May 2024 Detroit Regional Chamber Michigan Voter Poll, in which 5% of Michigan voters indicated that violence is justified if the candidate for president they support loses the 2024 election, and 70% expressed dissatisfaction with the state of democracy in the country.
The stability democracy provides is essential to a thriving society and economic growth. The Chamber polling from May 2024 shows jarring findings about how Michiganders’ faith in democracy is eroding, which is a direct threat to capitalism and prosperity. The business community must help combat misinformation in this space to maintain a strong democracy and the stability required to support capitalism and enable business growth and investment.
The Chamber continues to reinforce the importance of democratic norms and institutions through initiatives like Michigan Business United for Elections – a partnership with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and advocacy for secure and fair elections.
Nearly half of Michigan voters across parties are not confident the nation will remain calm after the election, though less concerned about the peaceful transfer of power.
Voters were asked how confident they are that the nation will remain calm after the November 2024 election.
| 15.2% | Very confident. |
| 28.5% | Somewhat confident. |
| 21.7% | Not very confident. |
| 27.3% | Not confident at all. |
Concern about violence after the election was spread across all party affiliations.
| Party | Confident | Not Confident |
| Strong Democratic | 49.2% | 44.9% |
| Leaning Democratic | 36.6% | 55.7% |
| Independent | 38.2% | 50.0% |
| Leaning Republican | 42.4% | 50.8% |
| Strong Republican | 43.1% | 51.2% |
Voters are far more confident that there will be a peaceful transfer of power.
| 61.3% | are confident in a peaceful transfer. |
| 30.5% | are very confident. |
| 33.4% | are not confident in a peaceful transfer. |
| 20.2% | are not confident at all. |
Republican voters are most confident in a peaceful transfer of power.
| Party | Confident | Not Confident |
| Strong Democratic | 59.3% | 37.4% |
| Leaning Democratic | 53.8% | 34.6% |
| Independent | 53.4% | 39.5% |
| Leaning Republican | 72.9% | 25.5% |
| Strong Republican | 67.3% | 28.1% |
Voters’ largest concern if former President Donald Trump is elected again: the end of democracy.
All responses above 3.0% are listed below:
| 11.8% | He will be a dictator/the end of democracy. |
| 8.3% | He talks too much/has no self-control/ |
| 7.6% | Foreign affairs and/or wars. |
| 6.0% | Women’s rights |
| 4.1% | Chaos/will ruin our country. |
| 4.0% | He will take away our rights. |
| 3.8% | He’s mentally unfit. |
| 3.6% | More division. |
| 3.0% | The economy/inflation. |
| 21.9% | Have no concerns. |
Voters’ largest concern if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected: the economy and inflation.
All responses above 3.0% are listed below.
| 13.9% | The economy and inflation. |
| 8.8% | Open borders and immigration. |
| 7.9% | She is not qualified or prepared. |
| 7.8% | Foreign affairs and/or wars. |
| 5.8% | How Trump and the GOP would respond. |
| 5.1% | Not being given a chance or not getting support. |
| 3.6% | Keeping her promises. |
| 4.3% | Destroy our country/take away our rights/ |
| 19.4% | Have no concerns. |
Chamber Perspective
Interestingly, though contentious political polarization is straining voters’ relationships with family and friends, the same impact is not occurring in professional spaces. This could speak to institutional trust in business and employers as a source of credible information about elections. The Edelman Trust Barometer continues to note business as a trusted source of information and stewards of innovation. This is a responsibility the business community must take extremely seriously and strive to uphold to ensure the political stability – rooted in agreed-upon facts – that is required to maintain a prosperous economy and peaceful society.
Political conversations have strained relationships with family and friends for a third of Michigan voters. Relationships with coworkers have fared better.
31.5% of voters say in the past couple of years, political conversations have resulted in a strained relationship with a family member. 36.9% of voters say in the past couple of years, political conversations have resulted in a strained relationship with friends. Democratic voters, rural voters, and college-educated voters were far more likely to have strained relationships with both family and friends.
Only 17.9% of voters say that political conversations have resulted in a strained relationship with someone at work.
| Demographic | Family | Friend | Work |
| Strong Democratic | 32.6% | 44.9% | 24.1% |
| Leaning Democratic | 34.6% | 40.4% | 26.9% |
| Independent | 38.1% | 33.9% | 14.4% |
| Leaning Republican | 22.0% | 30.5% | 13.6% |
| Strong Republican | 28.2% | 32.2% | 12.l% |
| White | 34.6% | 39.6% | 18.0% |
| Black | 10.3% | 19.2% | 14.1% |
| Urban | 25.0% | 32.4% | 20.4% |
| Suburban | 31.6% | 37.8% | 20.9% |
| Small Town | 33.3% | 34.1% | 12.6% |
| Rural | 36.7% | 42.2% | 17.2% |
| Non-college | 29.3% | 34.8% | 18.1% |
| College | 34.1% | 40.0% | 17.6% |
| Male | 28.9% | 37.1% | 20.1% |
| Female | 33.9% | 36.8% | 15.8% |