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A strong majority of Michigan voters - across party lines - support the state opting into a new federal education tax credit that applies to both public and nonpublic schools, according to the Michigan Poll® commissioned by MarketingResource Group (MRG) and conducted March 16-18.
Overall, 72% of respondents support Michigan opting into the program, including 79% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans, and 68% of independents.
"In today’s polarized political world, voters almost never agree on anything. This is one of those rare exceptions,” said Jenell Leonard, Owner of MRG. “Across party lines, the support for Michigan to opt into this policy is overwhelming.Education is a kitchen-table issue, and this federal program will financially support students no matter where they go to school. Candidates and elected officials from both parties would be wise to support and campaign on this issue heading into November.”
According to the policy, individual states must opt into the federal program by notifying the IRS. To date, nearly 30 states have opted in or plan to do so, including those with both Republican and Democratic leadership. Because this is a federal program, the Michigan Constitution’s prohibition on state funding to non public schools does not apply. It also means that the state School Aid Fund that sends money to public schools is not impacted.
The Questions and Results
The results and the wording of the questions asked by MRG follow.
The following information was read to poll respondents before being asked about the new federal tax credit:
“A new federal law allows individuals who donate to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) to claim up to $1,700 on their federal tax return. SGOs use donations to provide financial assistance to children who attend public or nonpublic schools for education-related services, including tuition. Taxpayers who donate to an SGO can begin claiming the tax credit in January 2027. Governors must opt in to the program for residents to be eligible. Currently, 30 other states participate.”
“In Michigan, opting into the program means eligible families with children in public or nonpublic schools could receive financial assistance for education expenses – like tutoring, tuition, computers, school supplies, or special needs support. It would not cost the state or public schools anything. For Michigan families to benefit, the Governor must opt into the program.”
Q. Do you support or oppose Michigan opting into the new federal program so Michigan
families can receive help with their out-of-pocket educational expenses?
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MRG Michigan Poll® Spring 2026
The survey of 1012 likely Michigan voters was conducted byQuantitative CAWI (Computer Administered Web Interviewing) survey through an online panel from March 16-18, 2026. Quotas for gender, age and race/ethnicity were met within each geographic area. Some columns or results may not add up to100% because of rounding. Individual rounding may impact final totals. This survey yields a sampling margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points with a 95percent confidence interval. The sampling margin of error for subgroups may be higher depending on the size of the subgroup.
About Marketing Resource Group (MRG)
Lansing, Michigan-based Marketing Resource Group(www.mrgmi.com) is an award-winning PR firm representing corporate, association, nonprofit, and private clients with interests in Michigan. MRG offers expertise in public affairs, communications, political campaign management, and public opinion survey research. For more than thirty years, MRG has conducted its bi-annual omnibus Michigan Poll®, tracking the pulse ofMichigan voters on key statewide public policy and political issues. MRG is the only Michigan public opinion survey research firm that maintains nearly 50years of trend analyses of voter attitudes related to state and national leaders, political parties, and the political and economic climate in Michigan.Follow MRG on X @mrgmichigan and on Facebook.
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