EXCLUSIVE: Poll shows where Michigan proposals stand with voters

Ahead of the Nov. 6 election day, The Glengariff Group, Inc. conducted a 600-sample survey of likely 2012 Michigan general election voters. 

The live operator telephone survey was conducted from September 15-17, 2012 (The survey was conducted from Saturday afternoon through Monday evening). 

Eighty percent of the survey respondents were contacted via land-line.  Twenty percent of survey respondents were contacted via cell phone.  The survey has a margin of error of +/-4.0 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence.  This survey was commissioned by WDIV Local 4, the Detroit News.

State House

If the election for State House was held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate for State Representative or the Democratic candidate for State Representative

Democratic: 43.8%
Lean Democratic: 3.2%
Republican: 28.8% 
Lean Republican: 5.5%

Michigan Proposals

Emergency Manager Law

This November, Michigan voters will decide on a Referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011 --  The Emergency Manager Law.  Public Act 4 would establish criteria to assess the financial condition of local government units, including school districts.  Authorize the Governor to appoint an emergency manager upon state finding of a financial emergency, and allow the emergency manager to act in place of local government officials.  Require the Emergency manager to develop financial and operating plans which may include modification or termination of contracts, reorganization of government, and determination of expenditures, services and use of assets until the emergency is resolved.  Alternatively, authorize state appointed review team to enter into a local government approved consent decree.  Should this law be approved? 

Yes              35.7%

No               46.3%

Don’t Know 17.8% 

A closer look

                       Yes                  No                   DK

UP/North         21.8%              61.5%              16.7%

West                32.8%              49.3%              17.9%

Southwest        32.0%              48.0%              20.0%

Mid                  28.8%              50.0%              21.2%

E Central          25.5%              66.0%              8.5%

Oakland           51.9%              26.6%              21.5%

Macomb          34.0%              46.0%              20.0% 

Wayne             45.7%              34.3%              18.6%

Detroit              30.0%              57.5%              12.5%

Det MSA         44.8%              37.3%              17.9%

Democratic       26.7%              56.8%              16.5%

Lean Dem        24.5%              61.2%              14.3%

Independent     32.6%              48.4%              17.9%

Lean GOP        53.1%              24.5%              22.4%

Republican       51.3%              30.5%              18.2%

Proposal 2

Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining.  This proposal would grand public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions.  Invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees’ financial support of their labor unions.  Laws may be enacted to prohibits public employees from striking.  Override state laws that regulate hours and conditions of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with collective bargaining agreements.  Define “employer” as a person or entity employing one or more employees.   Should this proposal be approved?

Yes              49.7%

No               39.0%

Don’t Know 11.3%          

A closer look

                        Yes                  No                   DK

UP/North         21.8%              61.5%              16.7%

West                32.8%              49.3%              17.9%

Southwest        32.0%              48.0%              20.0%

Mid                  28.8%              50.0%              21.2%

E Central          25.5%              66.0%              8.5%

Oakland           51.9%              26.6%              21.5%

Macomb          34.0%              46.0%              20.0% 

Wayne             45.7%              34.3%              18.6%

Detroit              30.0%              57.5%              12.5%

Proposal 6

Proposal 6 would amend the state constitution regarding construction of international bridges and tunnels.   This proposal would require the approval of a majority of voters at a statewide election and in each municipality where ‘new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles’ are to be located before the State of Michigan may expend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels.  Create a definition of  ‘New international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles’ that means ‘any bridge or tunnel which is not open to the public and serving traffic as of January 1, 2012.”  Should this proposal be approved?

Yes               49.9%

No                36.8%

Don’t Know 13.0%

A closer look

                        Yes                  No                   DK

UP/North         21.8%              61.5%              16.7%

West                32.8%              49.3%              17.9%

Southwest        32.0%              48.0%              20.0%

Mid                  28.8%              50.0%              21.2%

E Central          25.5%              66.0%              8.5%

Oakland           51.9%              26.6%              21.5%

Macomb          34.0%              46.0%              20.0% 

Wayne             45.7%              34.3%              18.6%

Detroit              30.0%              57.5%              12.5%

Proposal 5

Proposal 5 would amend the state constitution to limit the enactment of new taxes by state government.  It would require a 2/3 majority vote of the State House and the State Senate, or a statewide vote of the people at a November election in order for the State of Michigan to impose new or additional taxes or expand the base of taxation or increasing the rate of taxation.  This section shall in no way be construed to limit or modify tax limitations otherwise created in this Constitution.  Should this proposal be approved?

Yes              50.5%

No               35.8%

Don’t Know 13.5%

A closer look

UP/North         48.7%              39.7%              11.5%

West                53.7%              28.4%              17.9%

Southwest        54.0%              40.0%              6.0%

Mid                  42.3%              36.5%              21.2%

E Central          59.6%              25.5%              12.8%

Oakland           51.9%              27.8%              20.3%

Macomb          48.0%              38.0%              14.0%

Wayne             48.6%              41.4%              10.0%

Detroit              50.0%              42.5%

Proposal 3

Proposal 3 would amend the state constitution to establish a minimum standard for renewable energy.  This proposal would require utilities to provide at least 25% of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, biomass and hydropower by 2025.  Limit to not more than 1% per year electric utility rate increases charged to consumers only to achieve compliance with the renewable energy standard.  Allow annual extensions of the deadline to meet the 25% standard in order to prevent rate increases over the 1% limit.  Require the legislature to enact additional laws to encourage the use of Michigan made equipment and employment of Michigan residents.  Should this proposal be approved?

Yes               49.3%

No                36.8%

Don’t Know 13.8% 

A closer look

            Yes                  No                   DK

UP/North         51.3%              41.0%              7.7%   

West               52.2%              35.8%              11.9%

Southwest       56.0%              32.0%              12.0%

Mid                 40.4%              36.5%              23.1%

E Central          48.9%              42.6%              8.5%

Oakland           34.2%              44.3%              21.5% 

Macomb          48.0%              42.05               10.0% 

Wayne             54.3%              30.0%              15.7%

Detroit             62.5%              20.0% 

Proposal 4

Proposal 4 would amend the state constitution to establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and provide collective bargaining for in-home care workers.  This proposal would allow in home care workers to bargain collectively with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council.  Continue the current exclusive representative of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws.  Require the Michigan Quality Home Care Council to provide training for in home care workers, create a registry of workers who pass background checks, and provide financial services to patients to manage the cost of in home care.  Preserve patients rights to hire in home care workers who are not referred by the council registry who are bargaining unit members.  Authorize the council to set minimum compensation standards and terms and conditions of employment.    Should this proposal be approved?

Yes              56.2%

No               28.3%

Don’t Know 15.3%

A closer look

Yes                  No                   DK

UP/North         52.6%              34.6%              12.8%

West               56.7%              31.3%              11.9%

Southwest        58.0%              22.0%              20.0% 

Mid                  34.6%              38.5%              25.0%

E Central          53.2%              25.5%              21.3% 

Oakland           53.2%              32.9%              13.9% 

Macomb          66.0%              24.0%              10.0%

Wayne             70.0%              18.6%              11.4%

Detroit              80.0%              5.0%