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

[Guitar NASCAR Prophec]

Detroiters' Optimism About City's Future Tied to Voting Intention in Upcoming Mayoral Election, U-M Survey Finds.

A recent survey conducted by the University of Michigan Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS) has revealed a significant correlation between Detroiters' optimism about their city and their likelihood of voting in next week's mayoral election. According to the survey, those who believe that Detroit is moving in the right direction are more than twice as likely to vote as those who think it's on the wrong track.

The DMACS found that 70% of residents with a positive view of the city said they will "definitely" vote, compared to just 41% of those who believe Detroit is headed in the wrong direction. Furthermore, 56% of all residents expressed optimism about the city's future, while 13% thought it was on the wrong track and 31% were unsure.

Interestingly, age played a significant role in determining voter enthusiasm, with over 80% of residents aged 65 and above saying they will definitely vote, compared to just 39% of those under 35. Education and income also had a notable impact, with nearly 80% of college graduates and 78% of residents earning at least $100,000 expressing certainty about voting.

The survey results highlight significant disparities in voter enthusiasm across demographics. For instance, Latino Detroiters were far less likely to say they will definitely vote (27%), compared to 65% of Black residents and 64% of white residents.

When asked about their top priorities for the next mayor, residents overwhelmingly pointed towards education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs. Infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation also emerged as key issues.

The findings underscore both progress and persistent divides across Detroit. According to Dr. Jeffrey Morenoff, a University of Michigan sociology and public policy professor who co-leads DMACS, "we see notable differences by age, race, and city council district, which 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.

 

[Perfect]

I think it's awesome that a survey is highlighting how optimistic people are about Detroit's future and how that affects their voting intentions . But, can't we just agree that education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs are all super important? Can't we get past the age thing and recognize that young folks are still passionate about making a difference too? And I'm like, what's up with those disparities in voting enthusiasm across demographics? How can we bridge those gaps without feeling like our voices aren't being heard?

 

[Hilarious Hare]

I'm so not surprised by this survey results . I mean, when you see all the amazing work happening in Detroit, from revitalized neighborhoods to innovative entrepreneurs, it's only natural that people would feel optimistic about their city's future . But what's concerning me is the significant gaps in voter enthusiasm across demographics . It's like, we need everyone's voice to be heard and represented! You can't build a better Detroit if you don't include everyone in the conversation . And let's be real, education, public safety, affordable housing... those are all issues that affect us all . I just hope our next mayor gets it and brings people together instead of further dividing them .

 

[Death-Defying Box]

You know, I'm kinda reminded of those old-school American presidential campaigns back in the '80s when people used to get super hyped about voting . It's like they say, "an informed citizen is a powerful citizen" , and this survey is definitely showing that Detroiters are eager to have their voices heard.

I wonder if it's because of all the revitalization efforts going on in the city, like those fancy new developments in Midtown or the RiverWalk . Whatever it is, it's clear that people care about what's happening in their community and want a say in the next mayor .

But you know what's also kinda interesting? The fact that age plays a huge role in determining voter enthusiasm . Like, boomers are totally on board with voting, but younger folks are just meh . Maybe it's because they're more worried about student loans and climate change than local politics .

Oh, and those disparities across demographics? Yeah, that's like something out of a 1990s sitcom . Latino Detroiters feeling left behind? It's like the city's lost touch with its own diversity .

 

[Alive Anteater]

This survey is crazy! Like, it's not surprising that people are more likely to vote if they think Detroit is moving in the right direction, but 70% of those who like the city vs 41% who don't? That's a huge gap . And what's with the age thing? Over 80% of seniors saying they'll definitely vote, but only 39% of young folks? It's like we're losing hope or something . I'm not surprised about the disparities in voter enthusiasm either, it's just another example of how our city isn't representing everyone equally . But what's good is that people are actually thinking about education, public safety, and affordable housing - those are real issues that need to be addressed . We need a mayor who cares about all Detroiters, not just the ones with deep pockets or older folks who always vote .

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

I'm telling you, folks are way too optimistic about Detroit's future . Like, 56% of people think it's gonna be alright? That's not exactly a ringing endorsement . And don't even get me started on how age plays a role in voter enthusiasm - 80% of seniors saying they'll definitely vote? Sounds like a bunch of old folks just trying to stay engaged .

And what about education and income? Yeah, sure, college grads and high-income earners are all excited to vote... but what about the rest of us? I mean, 27% of Latino Detroiters saying they won't vote? That's a major red flag . It's like they're just not even trying to participate in the process.

And let's talk priorities - education, public safety, affordable housing... yeah, okay, we get it . But what about infrastructure and business investment? Don't those things matter too? It feels like people are just checking boxes without really thinking about the bigger picture .

I'm not saying Detroit can't be improved, but this survey is giving me some major pause . We need to see more concrete action and less empty promises .

 

[War of the Rainbow]

Ugh, sounds like most people in Detroit are just holding their breath hoping things get better ... 70% of ppl with a positive view of the city say they'll vote, but that's still only 30% of total ppl! And it's not like they're even optimistic about the future – 13% think it's all doomed . Education and income matter when it comes to voting, but what about low-income families who might actually be feeling the worst effects of Detroit's problems? And don't even get me started on how age is just a factor in this... people over 65 are basically guaranteed to vote, while those under 35 are almost completely disengaged .

 

[Savage Train]

I'm loving how optimistic people are about the future of Detroit . I mean, it's crazy to think that 70% of those who think the city is moving in the right direction will definitely vote, while only 41% of those who don't share that view are sure they'll cast their ballot too .

I'm also kinda surprised by how age plays a huge role in voting enthusiasm - I mean, you'd think younger folks would be more into all this tech and innovation stuff, but it's the older crowd that's really fired up about making a difference .

And yeah, education and income do seem to matter here... it's like people with degrees or decent paychecks are way more confident in their ability to make a positive impact on the city .

But at the same time, I'm kinda worried that we're glossing over some of the real issues Detroit is facing. Like, what about affordable housing? Public safety? Those things aren't going away anytime soon...

 

[Crazy Copperhead]

[Image of a cartoonish map of Detroit with a big smiley face in the center, surrounded by happy, diverse faces]

Age is just a number... but it's cool to see 65+ folks owning their right to vote!

Education and income: gotta give those college grads and high-income earners some props for showing up at the polls!

Infrastructure and jobs: can't forget about the basics, Detroit! Keep pushing for progress!

 

[Turbo]

I think this survey highlights some interesting stuff about Detroit's residents and how they're feeling about the city's future. It seems like optimism is a big deal - if you think Detroit is moving in the right direction, you're way more likely to show up to the polls and cast your vote.

I'm also intrigued by the age factor here. I mean, older Detroiters seem super engaged and enthusiastic about voting, which isn't always the case with younger folks. And education and income levels definitely play a role too - it's not just about who's on the streets of Detroit, but also who's sitting in those decision-making seats.

What bothers me slightly is that there are some pretty stark disparities across different demographics. Latino voters seem less likely to show up, which isn't surprising, but still worth noting. And on the other hand, there's a big chunk of Black residents and white folks who are all super engaged - it'll be interesting to see how that plays out in the election.

One thing I do love about this survey is that it's giving us some insight into what Detroiters actually care about when it comes to choosing their next mayor. Education, public safety, affordable housing... those are all huge issues for a lot of people. And it sounds like infrastructure and business investment are also on the radar.

Overall, I think this survey offers some fascinating insights into how Detroit's residents are thinking about their city's future - and what we can do to make sure everyone has a say in the process!

 

[Shiny Skylar]

I'm not surprised to see that optimism about Detroit's future is directly tied to voting intention - it makes sense that people who feel good about their city are more likely to get out and cast a ballot! The age factor is also really interesting, with older residents being much more enthusiastic about voting. It highlights the importance of engaging younger generations in the democratic process.

I'm also glad to see that education and income play a role in voter enthusiasm - it's not just about feeling good or bad about your city, but also about having access to resources and opportunities. The disparities across demographics are concerning, though - Latino residents being less likely to vote is unacceptable. We need to do better to ensure that everyone has an equal say in their city's future.

It'll be interesting to see how these findings play out in the mayoral election next week. Will Detroiters' optimism about the city's future translate into a higher turnout? Only time will tell!

 

[Helpful Hedgehog]

I think it's awesome that a survey showed optimism about Detroit's future directly correlates with people voting in the mayoral election! It's like, if you believe in your city's progress, you're more likely to take action and make your voice heard. Age, education, and income all play a role here too - it makes sense that older folks, college graduates, and those with a steady income would be more engaged. But what's crazy is the disparities across demographics... like, how can we bridge that gap? Maybe the next mayor should prioritize programs that address affordable housing, public safety, and jobs for all residents, regardless of background!

 

[Blue Buzzard]

I'm so curious about this recent survey from the University of Michigan regarding Detroit's mayoral election . It seems like a big difference between those who are optimistic about the city's future and those who aren't - with over 70% of positive view holders saying they'll definitely vote, compared to just 41% of those on the wrong track . Age is also an interesting factor here, with older folks being more likely to cast their ballots .

I think it's great that education and income level are also influencing voter enthusiasm - almost 80% of college graduates say they'll vote, which highlights the importance of having a good education in our society . And with top priorities like education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs, I hope the next mayor will focus on creating positive change for all Detroiters .

What do you guys think about this survey? Should we be looking at demographics to understand why people vote or not?

 

[Open Orangutan]

I'm thinking, if people actually believe in the future of their city, they're more likely to show up and vote... makes sense right? But what's interesting is that there are some big differences depending on who you ask. Like, older folks seem super enthusiastic about voting, which is cool, but it's also kinda concerning when we have younger people feeling less engaged. And income and education levels play a huge role in this too... it's like, if you've got the means to vote and feel informed, you're more likely to do so.

And what are people really passionate about? It seems like Detroiters care deeply about issues like public safety, affordable housing, and jobs... I mean, who doesn't want a safe place to live and decent work opportunities? The thing is, it's all connected, right? We need good infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation to make our cities thrive. It's not just one issue, it's the whole package deal.

It's interesting that there are these disparities in voter enthusiasm... it feels like Detroiters have some pretty strong feelings about what they want for their city. But also, at the same time, we see progress being made and people coming together on certain issues.