FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
October 30, 2020
Contact: Sam Inglot, sam@progressmichigan.org
New Poll Shows Strong Numbers for Dems Heading Into Election Day
Monthly Lake Effect poll tracks support for various candidates and issues in Michigan
MICHIGAN – Today, Progress Michigan released the latest version of Lake Effect, a monthly newsletter featuring data collected by Public Policy Polling that tracks attitudes about a variety of candidates and issues among Michigan voters.
“Once again, the results are clear: Michiganians are widely disappointed by President Trump’s job performance and impressed with the leadership of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,” said Lonnie Scott, Executive Director of Progress Michigan. “The polling also bodes well for democracy in our state, with many respondents taking advantage of new early voting options while also recognizing that we may have to wait a while for full election results due to unprecedented circumstances, and that’s okay. We’re looking forward to some big progressive wins on Tuesday and we remain committed to ensuring every vote is counted.”
Full results of the poll can be found here. Some highlights include:
- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden leads Trump by a 54-44 margin. Democratic Sen. Gary Peters leads his challenger, John James, by a 54-44 margin.
- 39 percent of respondents list Bridget Mary McCormack as their first or second choice for Michigan Supreme Court, compared to 29 percent for Elizabeth Welch, 18 percent for Mary Kelly, and 14 percent for Brock Swartzle. Respondents also said they would prefer to vote for candidates nominated by the Democrats than candidates nominated by the Republicans by a 47-41 margin.
- 45 percent of respondents approve of President Trump’s job performance, while 54 percent disapprove. Meanwhile, Gov. Whitmer enjoys a 55 percent approval rating with only 40 percent disapproving.
- When asked directly whether Whitmer or Trump has handled COVID-19 better, 55 percent said Whitmer has done a better job, while only 41 percent preferred Trump’s approach.
- 76 percent of respondents were aware that straight-ticket voting does not include candidates for the Supreme Court. 52 percent of those polled said they plan to use the straight ticket option.
- 71 percent of those surveyed agree that every vote should be counted, regardless of how long it takes. Only 19 percent believe a candidate should be able to order that counting be stopped.
- 77 percent of those surveyed oppose or strongly oppose the State Legislature ignoring the outcome of the presidential election by appointing their own electors to the Electoral College regardless of the outcome of the actual vote in the state.
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