Spring 2020 Michigan Public Policy Survey Homepage

THE SPRING 2020 MICHIGAN PUBLIC POLICY SURVEY

• Topics:
  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); annual tracking items for fiscal, budget, operation policies; election administration and security; Michigan's new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission; the 2020 U.S. Census; job approval evaluations for Governor, Michigan Legislature, President, and U.S. Congress; right direction vs. wrong track for state, and country; trust in government; the state of democracy
• Methodology:
  • This survey ran from March 30 to June 1, 2020 and received responses from 72% of jurisdictions.
  • A supplemental survey containing only the questions regarding election administration was sent concurrently to those county, city, and township clerks not participating in the general MPPS, to ensure these officials had the opportunity to weigh in specifically on this topic. This supplemental county, city and township clerks' survey ran from April 8 to June 1, 2020. A total of 947 clerks returned valid surveys (51 county clerks, 710 township clerks, and 186 city clerks), resulting in a 59% response rate among clerks.
• Primary local government survey (counties, townships, cities, and villages):
  • Local government jurisdictions questionnaire
  • Local government jurisdictions pre-run data tables
• Supplemental election administration survey:
  • County, City, and Township Clerks' election administration will be available soon
• Preliminary findings
  • Initial Findings on Michigan Communities of Interest from the Spring 2020 Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS)
• Publications:
  • The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Michigan communities and local governments
  • Local leaders' evaluations of Michigan's direction and Governor's performance during the COVID-19 pandemic's arrival
  • Michigan local leaders expect mixed impacts from expanded voter registration and absentee voting reforms
  • Confidence in the accuracy of Michigan’s 2020 Census count among local leaders was not very high, slips further
  • Michigan local leaders expect increased challenges for the 2020 election, but are confident about administering accurate elections
  • Michigan local leaders say local democracy is strong, as their trust in government and citizens rises
  • COVID-19 pandemic sparks Michigan local  leaders' concerns for fiscal health
  • Michigan local leaders' views on state's new approach to electoral redistricting
• Presentations
  • May 2021 – MSU Extension Current Issues Affecting Michigan Local Governments Webinar Series – Democracy at the Local Level: Resident Engagement (Findings from the Michigan Public Policy Survey)

Input on questionnaire design for the Spring 2020 MPPS was provided by the following people:

• Jonathan Brater, Michigan Department of State
• John Chamberlain, University of Michigan
• Jowei Chen, University of Michigan
• Connie Cook, University of Michigan
• Stephanie Leiser, University of Michigan
• Eric Lupher, Citizens Research Council of Michigan
• Sally Marsh, Michigan Department of State
• Derek Melot, Michigan Assocation of Counties
• Summer Minnick, Michigan Municipal League
• Michael Selden, Michigan Townships Association
• Neil Sheridan, Michigan Townships Association
• Chris Thomas, Former Michigan Director of Elections
• Marianne Udow-Phillips, University of Michigan
• Eric Walcott, Michigan State University
• Arnold Weinfeld, Michigan State University

The final questionnaire design reflects decisions made by the CLOSUP MPPS staff, which may not represent the views of advisory committee members or others who provided input.