Detroiters’ optimism about city tied to likelihood of voting in mayoral election, U-M survey finds - Detroit Metro Times

Detroiters' Optimism Tied to Voting Intentionality, U-M Survey Reveals

A recent survey conducted by the University of Michigan has found that Detroiters who believe their city is moving in the right direction are more likely to vote in next week's mayoral election. The study, which polled over 1,200 residents, reveals a strong correlation between optimism about the city's direction and voter intentionality.

According to the survey, 70% of Detroiters with a positive view of the city's direction said they will "definitely" vote on November 4, compared to just 41% of those who believe the city is on the wrong track. This suggests that optimism about the city's direction plays a significant role in motivating residents to participate in the electoral process.

The survey also found that older, higher-income, and more educated residents were far more likely to express optimism about the city's direction. Nearly 80% of Detroiters with household incomes above $100,000 said the city is on the right track, compared to just 35% of those earning under $10,000.

Age was also a strong predictor of voter participation, with over 80% of residents 65 and older saying they will definitely vote. In contrast, just 39% of Detroiters under 35 expressed this intentionality.

Education and income were other key factors in determining optimism about the city's direction. About 80% of college graduates and 78% of residents earning at least $100,000 said they're certain to vote, compared to just 48% of those with high school education and 37% of those with incomes under $10,000.

When it comes to priorities for the next mayor, Detroiters pointed overwhelmingly to education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs. Infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation were also key issues, with more than 60% of residents calling them high priorities.

Interestingly, Black residents were more likely than white residents to identify schools, crime, and housing as top concerns, while women rated safety and affordability higher than men.

The survey highlights both progress and persistent divides across the city. According to University of Michigan sociology and public policy professor Jeffrey Morenoff, the findings underscore the importance of capturing the diversity of Detroiters' views.

"The full report, 'Detroit Decides: Views on the City, Priorities for the Next Mayor, and Intentions to Vote,' is available at detroitsurvey.umich.edu," said Yucheng Fan, data manager at DMACS.

[Image of a smiling face with a voting sticker on it]

[Illustration of a car racing forward, with the words "Optimism is key" written above it]

[A meme of a person holding a sign that says "I'm not lazy, I'm just conserving energy"] ️ (to show how education and income can impact optimism)

[Image of a graph showing a positive correlation between optimism and voting intentionality]

Detroiters are so extra when it comes to voting lol I mean 70% of those who think the city is going in the right direction will def vote, but like what about those who don't? What's gonna change for them? And why does age play such a huge role in this? Like 65+ residents are basically guaranteed to vote, that's wild. Can we talk about how education and income level basically dictate your voting intentions? It's kinda scary when you realize that like, not even half of those under 35 can be bothered to vote. And what about the Black and white divide in terms of priorities? Schools, crime, housing... it's all so tied to their experiences. We need to address these gaps if we want real change in Detroit

I think it's crazy how optimism about Detroit can actually motivate people to vote ! Like if you really believe your city is moving in the right direction, that's a huge motivator for participation. And it makes sense that education and income level play a big role too – those are like foundation elements of being informed and engaged. But what I find interesting is how age plays a factor here too... 65+ year olds are like super committed to voting! Maybe they're just tired of seeing the world change without their input . And priorities like education, public safety, affordable housing – that's like, basic human stuff .

man... it's crazy how much of a difference a positive vibe can make in people's willingness to vote . like, 70% vs 41% is huge, right? and it makes sense that older folks, higher-income folks, and more educated folks are all more optimistic about the city's direction - I mean, they're probably the ones who've had time to see some progress or have more resources to invest in their community .

and I love how they broke down the priorities by demographics - it's like, schools and crime and housing are major concerns for Black folks and women, which is totally understandable given the history of systemic inequality and stuff. it's not just about education and jobs, you know? we need to address the root causes of poverty and neglect in this city .

anyway, I'm glad to see that some people are actually feeling hopeful about Detroit's future - maybe next mayor can bring some real change .

voting matters so much in detroit , especially when ppl are optimistic about the city's future ! survey says 70% of posivite ppl will def vote on november 4 , which is like, super inspiring ! but what about all the ppl who don't feel hopeful ? need more affordable housing , public safety , and jobs pls!

I'm really feeling this survey from U-M, it's like they're trying to say that if you believe in Detroit, you'll actually show up to vote ! And honestly, who wouldn't want to see their city improve? 70% of people saying they'll definitely vote because the city is moving in the right direction? That's some serious motivation . But at the same time, it's kinda sad that only 41% of those who think the city is on the wrong track are going to show up to vote . What's going on with our civic engagement, you know? Can we really make a difference if we don't even bother to cast our ballots?

I gotta say, it's pretty interesting that Detroiters' optimism about their city's direction has a direct impact on whether they vote or not. Like, if you genuinely believe your city is moving in the right direction, you're more likely to show up at the polls and make your voice heard. It makes sense, but it also highlights how crucial civic engagement is.

I'm also kinda surprised that education was such a big priority for Detroiters. I mean, I know schools are important, but when you factor in affordable housing and public safety, it just goes to show how complex the issues are in Detroit. And yeah, it's cool to see Black residents being more vocal about school and crime, while women prioritizing safety over guys.

What does bother me is that these divides exist even within the city itself. It's not just an external issue, but a internal one too. We need to be having this conversation, like, now.

I think its kinda cool how optimism about Detroit's future is tied to voting intentionality . Its like, when people genuinely believe in the city's progress, they're more likely to get involved and make their voices heard at the polls. And yeah, demographics play a big role - older, higher-income folks seem to be way more optimistic and invested in the outcome of the election . Education is key, too... or should I say, education = a vote !

Wow Interesting that optimism about Detroit's direction is so closely tied to voter intentionality, especially among older, higher-income, and more educated residents

I'm kinda surprised by this news . As a student, I feel like we're always being told that voting is so important, but it's easy to forget about it when you're not directly affected by the changes in our city. But apparently, if Detroiters think their city is headed in the right direction, they're more likely to show up and vote ! It makes sense, though - who wouldn't want to be part of something that feels positive? I also saw some interesting stats about how education and income levels can affect people's optimism about the city. Like, it's no surprise that higher-income residents are more optimistic ... but still, it's kinda cool to see how different demographics have different priorities . What do you guys think - should we be focusing on making our school system better if we want to make Detroit a more attractive place for people?

I think this survey is pretty revealing about what's driving voter turnout in Detroit. It's clear that when people feel optimistic about the direction of their city, they're more likely to participate in the electoral process. But what's really interesting to me is how different demographics are being impacted by these feelings.

For example, older residents and those with higher incomes seem to be disproportionately optimistic about the city's future, which isn't surprising given that they may have had more experience with Detroit's ups and downs over time. However, it's also worth noting that younger residents and those from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to express optimism.

One thing that really stood out to me was how different priorities can vary between men and women, as well as between Black and white residents. It's clear that there are still some significant divides in Detroit that need to be addressed if the city is going to move forward in a positive way.

Overall, I think this survey highlights the importance of listening to the diverse perspectives of Detroiters and taking their concerns seriously if we're going to build a more equitable and prosperous city for all.

I'm still thinking about all the good ol' Detroit summers I used to have growing up... Anyway, this survey reminds me of how far ahead of the curve Detroiters were back in '92 when they elected Coleman Young as their first African American mayor. It was a big deal then! Nowadays, it seems like things are looking up again - optimism is tied to voting intentionality and people are actually talking about education, public safety, and affordable housing as priorities. That's what I call progress! But at the same time, you can't help but notice that some folks still got it tough, especially those under 35 or with lower incomes. Maybe we should be investing in more programs to get 'em engaged?

just read that survey about detroiters' optimism and voting intentions... seems like those who really care about the city's future are more likely to show up at the polls . it makes sense, right? when you feel good about what's happening in your community, you're more likely to get out there and make a difference . but what's interesting is how different groups of people have different priorities... like, schools, crime, housing for black residents, safety & affordability for women . it just goes to show that everyone has their own reasons for wanting change in detroit .

The survey from U-M shows how optimistic people are about Detroit's future can really influence them to vote in the election It's pretty cool to see how age, income, and education level all play a role in shaping people's optimism and voting intentions Older folks, those with higher incomes and more education tend to be way more optimistic and likely to vote . But what I find really interesting is that there are still some divides within the city - Black residents are more concerned about schools and crime, while women care more about safety and affordability It's like these issues might be even deeper than we think

I don't know, I'm kinda torn about this... The survey shows that optimism about Detroit's direction can really motivate people to vote, which is awesome, right? But on the other hand, it also seems like older, wealthier, and more educated folks are way more likely to be optimistic, and that could lead to some pretty biased views...

I mean, think about it - 80% of college graduates say they're gonna vote, which is great, but what about all the people who don't have access to education? Are they just gonna get left behind because their voices aren't being heard? And what's up with the disparities between different racial and gender groups? It's like, schools, crime, and housing are super important issues for Black residents, but safety and affordability are more of a priority for women...

But hey, at the same time, I'm all about people having a say in how their city is run, and if optimism about Detroit's direction is gonna get people out to vote, then that's a good thing... Just don't forget about everyone else who might not be as optimistic, 'kay?

I think it's pretty cool how optimism about Detroit's direction seems to have a direct impact on people's intention to vote. It makes sense that educated and higher-income residents are more likely to feel optimistic - they're probably exposed to more positive news and information. But what's even more interesting is that there are still some significant divides in the city, especially when it comes to issues like education, public safety, and affordable housing.

I think the fact that Black residents are more likely to prioritize schools, crime, and housing as top concerns highlights the need for targeted solutions that address these specific needs. And while women's priorities differ from men's, I don't think this means that men aren't concerned about safety and affordability - maybe their experiences just look different? Either way, it's clear that Detroit still has some tough issues to tackle, but if optimism is key to motivating residents to vote, then we're definitely on the right track!

I mean, it's no surprise that Detroiters who think their city is on the right track are more likely to vote. It makes sense, right? When you believe in what you're voting for, you're way more likely to show up and make your voice heard. The fact that age, income, and education level all play a role in this is pretty interesting too - it just goes to show how different demographics have different priorities when it comes to the city's direction.

But at the end of the day, it's not just about who's optimistic about Detroit's future... it's about making sure everyone has a say in its direction. That's why it's so great that this survey highlights some of the persistent divides across the city - because if we can understand where those divides are, maybe we can start to bridge them and make progress as a whole.

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt The survey shows that Detroiters who are optimistic about the city's direction are more likely to participate in the electoral process. This is a great sign for the future of Detroit!