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LANSING, Mich. – Michigan voters are increasingly frustrated with the direction of the country and state, and one thing is clear: affordability and healthcare are front and center heading into this November’s election, according to the Michigan Poll®conducted by Marketing Resource Group (MRG).
The statewide survey, conducted October 9-14 among 1,008 registered Michigan voters, found 68% believing the country is headed in the wrong direction, a 10-point increase since MRG’s spring survey conducted at the onset of the Iran war and before the spike in fuel prices.
While 55% of Republicans still believe the country is headed in the right direction, that figure has fallen from 63% in the spring. Among Democrats, 87% believe the country is on the wrong track.
Regarding Michigan, specifically, 30% see the state headed in the right direction, while a majority, 61%, believe it’s on the wrong track. Nine percent shared no opinion. These results show a 15-point increase in wrong-track sentiment since MRG’s Michigan Poll® conducted in March.
“Michiganders are losing patience, and the numbers show it,” said Jenell Leonard, owner ofMRG. “The cost of living is squeezing families, healthcare is becoming even harder to afford, and people are questioning whether their leaders are out of touch with what they are going through.”
When asked about the most important issues facing Michigan, voters consistently place cost of living and healthcare as the top concerns, each at 20%. The economy, food and grocery prices, and inflation followed.
Healthcare rose from the third most important issue in the spring poll to a tie for first, highlighting the growing pressure families face as they see premiums rise alongside everyday expenses.
“Candidates can talk about whatever they want, but voters have made their priorities clear,” said Leonard. “Groceries cost more, gas prices have skyrocketed, and healthcare is putting serious strain on family budgets. If candidates aren’t focused on affordability, they’re out of touch with what voters are experiencing in their everyday lives. It’s that simple.”
The President’s job approval rating has polarized with 36% approving (down three points from the spring) while 59% disapprove, an increase of six points. Strong disapproval climbed from 40% to 48%. Of those who strongly disapprove, 10%identified as Republican, 81% Democrat, and 48% Independent.
“The Iran war, rising fuel prices, and continued concerns about affordability are taking a toll on the president’s standing with voters,” said Leonard. “WithElection Day fast approaching, these numbers provide a snapshot of the headwindsRepublicans may be facing up and down the ballot.”
When asked about personal feelings toward President Trump, 35% of voters viewed him positively, while 60% shared a negative feeling. Of those who shared a negative feeling, 50% indicated they shared a very negative feeling.
Governor Whitmer’s job approval rating has also declined three points since the spring and its at 47% approving and 40% disapproving of her job performance. Strong disapproval rose from 21% in the spring to 29% today. Voters’ personal feelings toward Governor Whitmer sit at 48% positive and 40% negative.
“Governor Whitmer has enjoyed an above 50% approval rating for most of her tenure, but the timing of her decline is worth noting,” Leonard said. “Since our spring poll, the governor has pushed for the Saline data center (that received additional scrutiny after the hot mic moment), vetoed nine priority Democrat bills, and has engaged herself in the Line 5 approval battle. These issues have passionate and engaged citizens and the governor’s positions could be a contributing factor to her declining approval numbers.”
MRG Michigan Poll® Fall 2026
The survey of 1008 likely Michigan voters was conducted byQuantitative CAWI (Computer Administered Web Interviewing) survey through an online panel from October 9-14, 2026. Quotas for gender, age and race/ethnicity were met within each geographic area. Somecolumns or results may not add up to 100% because of rounding. Individual rounding may impact final totals. This survey yields a sampling margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence interval. The samplingmargin 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, MRGhas 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 40years 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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