Michigan voters are concerned about the cost of goods, the job market, the impact of tariffs, global trade policy, and the potential role AI will play in the future economy, according to the findings of a statewide poll released today by the Detroit Regional Chamber in partnership with the Glengariff Group Inc.
The results of the poll, which surveyed 600 Michigan voters between Sept. 10-14, signal that economic conditions aren’t improving, and voters are noticing.
“There are warning signs throughout this poll that don’t bode well for business or Michigan’s economic outlook or competitiveness,” says Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the chamber.
“Voters’ concerns appear to be catching up with the realities that Michigan is at a disproportionate economic risk due to much of what is occurring in the global economy, as many Michiganders’ livelihoods are tied to the automotive and manufacturing industry and trade with Canada. Michiganders are clearly becoming increasingly unsettled – across all political affiliations.”
Richard Czuba, president of The Glengariff Group, says, “Michigan voters are sending up clear red flags in how they view the current economy. The vast majority of Michiganders say they are paying more for groceries, utilities, and insurance. They believe tariffs are increasing their costs, hurting the state’s auto industry, and that placing tariffs on Canada hurts Michigan. And all of that is resulting in a decline in the number of good jobs Michiganders think are available.”
Voters remain split on Michigan’s economic direction, influenced by political affiliation. 42.4 percent of Michigan voters say the state’s economy is on the right track, and 42.8 percent say it’s on the wrong track. Political affiliation still appears to be an influence on these ratings as more strong Republicans now consider it to be on the right track – 36.6 percent compared to just 13.2 percent in September 2024, before a Republican president took office.
Views on whether the state is on the right track in general are up 6 percent to 51.5 percent after a slight dip in the May 2025 poll. Republicans and Independents are largely driving this increase, up 20.9 percent to 34 percent and 44.7 percent to 52.3 percent, from May 2025 to September 2025, respectively.
Nearly three-quarters of Michigan voters indicate that they are doing better or the same economically as they were a year ago, statistically consistent with the past few polls. 27.1 percent say they are doing worse. As of May 2024, during the Biden administration, perceptions of personal economic conditions were more favorable among strong Democrats (41.4 percent) than strong Republicans (10.1 percent). This is just one example of how voters’ feelings about the sitting president increasingly influence their feelings about economic conditions. Over the last several polls, the inversion of these sentiments along party lines has become noticeable, especially through the 2024 election cycle and transition to the second Trump administration.
Inflation continues to be a top reason for economic concerns. For the 42.8 percent of voters who think the state’s economy is on the wrong track, the top-cited reasons were inflation and the cost of goods, the lack of good jobs or unemployment, and low wages.
Similarly, among those who report doing worse economically than last year (27.1 percent of respondents), 55.2 percent cite inflation and the cost of goods as the reason. That is up a noteworthy 13.4 percent from the 41.8 percent who shared that sentiment in May 2025.
Fears of worsening inflation remain high at 43.1 percent, and more Michigan voters see the economy as weakening versus growing by a margin of 58.7 percent to 38.2 percent. The percentage of Independent voters who consider the economy to be growing increased from 25.4 percent in May 2025 to 43.2 percent in September 2025. Half of Independent voters, however, expect inflation to get worse in the next year, which contrasts with their optimism about economic growth.
As poll results continue to show, Independent voters’ perceptions are important indicators as they differ from those of voters who identify as a strong Republican or a strong Democrat.
Rising costs are taking a toll and impacting spending decisions. Three-quarters of Michigan voters are paying more for groceries and food compared to last year. Every individual demographic group says they are spending more on groceries by a minimum of 63.4 percent. Additionally:
- 1 percent say they are paying more for utilities.
- 4 percent are paying more for car and home insurance.
- 50 percent of 18-29-year-olds are paying more for their rent or mortgage.
Nearly 30 percent of voters have delayed purchases this year, up from 20.9 percent in May 2025, another indicator of economic anxiety among respondents. The top five categories for delayed purchases are:
- 31 percent – Car/vehicle
- 3 percent – Home improvement or repair
- 1 percent – Entertainment/vacations
- 5 percent – Furniture/home goods
- 9 percent – Electronics/technology
Some 14.3 percent have sped up purchases, consistent with May 2025 findings. Decisions to speed up purchases were driven by concerns about, and in anticipation of, tariff-related cost increases. As new tariffs are implemented, however, these purchase pull-ahead rates may shift instead to cost-related delays.
For the first time in many surveys, Michigan voters’ confidence in their employment and the job market is slowing. Fifty-two percent of Michigan voters say good jobs are available, down 8.1 percent since May 2025. It is the lowest percentage in the past five surveys in which this question has been included and is down from a peak of nearly 70 percent in January 2025.
More than three-quarters (77.8 percent) say people they know looking for work are having a hard time. Only 17.5 percent are concerned about losing their current job, statistically consistent with the past five surveys in which this question was included. In that time frame, the level of concern peaked at 20.9 percent in May 2025.
Employment concerns are noticeably higher among automotive households where 31.3 percent of voters in automotive industry households are concerned about losing their jobs, compared to only 13 percent of all other workers with the same concern. In the May 2025 poll, 16.4 percent of households with employment in the automotive industry said they did not think their job would be available in five years. Uncertainty across the industry from rapidly evolving technology, mounting global competition, and fluctuating global trade policies is clearly trickling into the industry workforce’s concerns.
On the tariff front, Michigan voters’ opposition to increased tariffs continues by a margin of 51.3 percent opposed to 40.8 percent in support. While political affiliation plays a role in sentiments about tariffs, opposition is holding steady, although strong support has weakened from 30.3 percent in May 2025 to 23.4 percent.
Michigan voters recognize the importance of strong trade relationships. Voters also appear to be aware of the broader economic impacts of tariffs and the significance of key international trade relationships. This is a sentiment largely shared across political affiliation, which is noteworthy in a time of stark party loyalty on most issues. In fact, every party affiliation views Canada as an economic “friend” by a margin of 70.2 percent or higher.
Overall, those who say Canada is an economic “friend” increased from 68.4 percent in January 2025 to 79.1 percent in September 2025, compared to those who view it as an economic threat.
55.1 percent of Michigan voters view Michigan’s economic relationship with Canada as good for the state’s economy.
Michigan voters also think — by a nearly three-to-one margin — that placing tariffs on Canada is bad for the state’s economy, with 57.2 percent saying they are bad, 19.2 percent saying they are good, and 12.7 percent saying it has no impact.
Where artificial intelligence is concerned, age, educational attainment, and income influence AI use. Among Michigan voters:
- 5 percent say they are closely following the conversation on AI.
- 5 percent say they are using AI in their work or professional lives.
- 8 percent of voters say they are not using AI in their work or professional lives.
AI use trends higher among those under 50 years old, with college educations, and those in white-collar careers and earning higher incomes. Republican, older, lower-income, and blue-collar voters appear less likely to be using AI.
