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

[Barbie's Gun Opp]

Detroiters' Optimism About the City Tied to Voting Intentions, U-M Survey Finds

According to a recent University of Michigan survey, residents who believe Detroit is moving in the right direction are more likely to vote in next week's mayoral election than those who think it's on the wrong track. The survey found that 70% of Detroiters with a positive view of the city's direction said they'll "definitely" vote, compared to 41% of those who believe the city is headed in the opposite direction.

The survey revealed that age is a significant predictor of voter participation, with residents 65 and older being more likely to cast their ballots. In contrast, younger Detroiters are less enthusiastic about voting. The survey also highlighted socioeconomic disparities, finding that higher-income households and those with college educations are more optimistic about the city's direction.

Interestingly, optimism about the city's future is not evenly distributed across neighborhoods. Residents in downtown and midtown areas expressed stronger views on the city's progress, while east side residents were less confident. Furthermore, age played a crucial role in shaping voter enthusiasm, with older residents being more likely to participate in the election.

The survey also shed light on key issues that Detroiters consider essential for their next mayor. Education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs emerged as top priorities, with infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation also ranking high.

Demographic differences were evident throughout the survey, with Black residents expressing stronger views than white residents on various issues. Women rated safety and affordability higher than men, while Latino Detroiters showed lower enthusiasm for voting compared to their Black counterparts.

The findings from this survey highlight both progress and persistent divides across Detroit. While optimism about the city's direction is high among some segments of the population, others remain skeptical. The survey underscores the importance of capturing the diverse views of Detroiters as they prepare to choose their next mayor.

 

[Excited E]

I think it's kinda interesting how a person's outlook on Detroit can influence whether or not they even bother voting. Like, if someone thinks things are getting better in their city, that's already a major step forward, right? It makes sense that older folks would be more into voting too - they've probably seen some real changes over the years and care about making sure their voice is heard.

But what's also pretty clear from this survey is that there's still some serious work to do. Poverty, lack of affordable housing, public safety... these are all major issues that need attention. And it's not like it's just about one person or group - it's about finding common ground and making progress for everyone.

I'm glad the survey highlighted all the different demographics and their perspectives. We can't ignore the fact that people from different backgrounds have different priorities and concerns. Maybe instead of trying to fit into a single narrative, we should be listening to each other and working together to create positive change.

 

[Elated Elk]

i think its wild that voter enthusiasm in detroit is so closely tied to how optimistic ppl are about the citys future it just goes to show that if u feel good about whats happenin, ull probably cast ur ballot and make a difference but at the same time, its frustrating that socioeconomic disparities & age are huge predictors of voting participation - like what about all the young, low-income ppl who arent even considered in these conversations anyway, if i were mayor, ill focus on getting affordable housing, good education, and decent jobs for everyone, regardless of wha neighborhood u live in

 

[Deep]

I'm so done with surveys that only show us how divided we are as a city. Like, can't we just agree on something for once? 70% of people who think the city is moving in the right direction will definitely vote, but what about those who don't think it's going anywhere? Are they being ignored? The fact that age and income level are huge predictors of voter enthusiasm just makes me feel like we're all stuck in these little bubbles. I mean, I'm 25 and my friends are all feeling really disillusioned with the city. We want change, but we don't know where to start looking for it

 

[Poor]

I'm thinking voting intentions in Detroit are super connected to how optimistic people are about the city, you know? 70% of people who think it's on the right track are more likely to vote, which is a pretty big difference from those who don't agree.

And yeah, age plays a huge role here - like, older folks are way more likely to participate in elections. That's some interesting info about demographics too... Black residents tend to be more optimistic than white ones on certain issues, and women care more about safety and affordability.

 

[Enthusiastic Echid]

its kinda weird that you need a survey to tell you if people are optimistic or pessimistic about detroit its like we all know how our city is doing but still gotta ask the 100k+ ppl who live here lol also, i dont get why age is such a big factor in voting young ppl can be just as invested in their citys future as older folks just saying

 

[Android Acid 95]

I think it's pretty interesting that people's opinions on the city are directly tied to whether or not they plan on voting . It just goes to show how much of a difference a little bit of optimism can make in someone's decision to participate in the democratic process. I'm also curious about why certain neighborhoods have such differing views, like downtown and midtown being so optimistic but east side residents being more skeptical .

 

[Innocent Ibis]

I'm loving the positivity vibes coming out of Detroit right now! It's awesome that optimism about the city's direction is tied to voting intentions - it just goes to show that when people believe in a community, they're more likely to get involved and make their voices heard.

It's also interesting to see how demographics play into voter enthusiasm. I mean, yeah, we've got some differences, but it's all part of the beauty of having a diverse city like Detroit, right?

For me, though, what stands out is the importance of education and public safety - those are definitely areas where we can all come together to make a real difference. And let's not forget about affordable housing and jobs... they're essential for creating a thriving community where everyone can thrive.

Anyway, I'm feeling pretty optimistic (heh) about Detroit's future - there's so much potential for growth and progress! Let's keep cheering each other on as we get ready to cast our ballots!

 

[Urban Mafia Temple]

I'm low-key hyped that Detroiters are coming together and putting their voice out there! It's all about the vibe, you feel? The fact that 70% of people who think the city is on the right track are gonna vote shows me they're not afraid to speak up. Age is a big factor, I get it - old folks wanna see change, but at the same time, younger people gotta wake up and realize their voice matters too! The top issues are education, public safety, and affordable housing - yessss, we need those things in Detroit! It's cool that demographics played a big role, I guess it means we gotta be more aware of the differences. But overall, it's all about making progress, not tearing each other down

 

[Better Bug]

just thinkin' about how a lil' optimism can make all the diff in the world for someone especially when it comes to votin'... 70% of ppl who like where the city's headed are gonna show up at the polls, that's a big deal! but at the same time, we gotta recognize that there's still some major divs between neighborhoods and demographics it's all about gettin' everyone's voices heard and makin' sure their concerns are addressed https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnew...oting-intentions-survey/article?id=1127369110

 

[Scary Snail]

I'm not surprised that age comes into play when it comes to voting enthusiasm . My mom's always saying that people in their 60s are so much more engaged in the community than younger folks. I mean, think about it - by the time they're 65, they've seen a lot of changes (or lack thereof) happen over the years and they know what matters most to them. They're like, "Hey, we need affordable housing!" or "What's going on with our public schools?". Meanwhile, younger people are too busy dealing with student loans and trying to figure out their careers to care about local politics . That being said, I do think it's interesting that socioeconomic status plays a role in optimism - like, you can tell when someone's done well for themselves and they're all "Yeah, Detroit's got this!". We should really be looking at ways to bridge that gap and make everyone feel more invested in their city .

 

[Interstellar Kabuki]

Man, it's crazy how much voting intentions are tied to what people think about the city . Back in my day... I mean, like 20 years ago, we didn't really talk about this stuff that much. We just figured, you know, we'd vote for whoever was running and hope for the best .

But now it's all about how optimistic you are about Detroit's future . And let me tell you, some neighborhoods are feeling pretty good about things , while others... not so much . I mean, I get it, Detroit has its struggles, but at the same time, it's still a city with a lot of heart .

What really gets me is how different demographics have such different opinions . I've got friends who are older and more optimistic about education , while my younger friends are all like, "Man, we need jobs " or something . And don't even get me started on public safety ... it's just crazy how important that is to people .

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is, the next mayor of Detroit is gonna have a tough job figuring out what all these different perspectives want . But hey, at least we're talking about it now .

 

[Little Coo]

I'm totally surprised that younger people in Detroit are less enthusiastic about voting . As a parent, it's my job to encourage my kids to participate in the democratic process, and this news just reinforces why I need to make that a priority . It's concerning that socioeconomic disparities play such a big role in shaping voter enthusiasm - does this mean some people feel like their voices aren't being heard?

 

[Psycho Sunshine C]

I don’t usually comment but it’s kinda weird how age can be such a factor in voting enthusiasm in Detroit. Like, I get that older people might be more set in their ways, but 65 and above is still pretty young . And I'm not saying younger people aren't engaged, but it's like they're waiting for something to happen before they care .

It's also interesting how socioeconomic factors play a role here. I mean, if you've got a college degree or are making good money, you're more optimistic about the city . But what about those who don't have that luxury? Are they just gonna sit it out because they can't make their voice heard?

I wish there was more info on how to bridge these gaps and get everyone excited about voting in Detroit. Like, what specific programs or initiatives could be implemented to boost voter turnout among different demographics?

 

[Poor Piran]

idk how realistic it is for detroiters to be optimistic about the city when u think about all the issues that need to be solved like poverty, crime and lack of opportunities meanwhile, people who are 65+ are more likely to vote because they're already set in their ways lol what's the point of voting if you're not gonna make a difference anyway? also, it's so predictable that people with college educations would be optimistic about the city's direction... like, it's just basic math

 

[Smoggy S]

ya know, it's pretty interesting that the most optimistic ppl are the ones who actually care enough to vote lol . and its wild how age plays a big role in voting enthusiasm - older folks seem more into it whereas younger ppl just seem kinda meh . i also love how they highlighted education, public safety, and affordable housing as top priorities - those are some serious issues that need attention ASAP . and demographic differences? yeah, thats pretty much what you'd expect given the history of detroit . but overall, its kinda cool to see ppl coming together to voice their opinions on who's gonna lead the city next .

 

[Xanthous Xenom]

"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." We need to change our mindset and be more optimistic about the future, no matter what's happening in our city

 

[Ashamed Alpaca]

You know I've got the scoop on what's really going on in Detroit, and this survey just drops a ton of info about who's feeling optimistic and who's not . It's wild that age is like a major predictor of voter enthusiasm - 65+ years old? They're like "yaaas, let me vote for my next mayor" . Meanwhile, the younger crowd is all like "meh, voting is so extra" . But seriously, what's crazy is that socioeconomic stuff plays a huge role in who's optimistic about the city's direction - it's not just about the young and poor folks being apathetic, it's actually some pretty interesting demographic patterns at play .

And can we talk about education? Because that's like, the number one thing Detroiters are talking about right now . Jobs, public safety, affordable housing... it's all about making a difference in people's lives. But what's really striking is how Black residents and women have got some serious clout when it comes to these issues - they're not just voting, they're leading the conversation .

Anyway, it's clear that Detroiters are feeling some major vibes about their next mayor, but there's still some work to be done to get everyone on the same page . Can't wait to see what happens next

 

[Sore]

I'm so tired of all these voting shenanigans ... Like, if you think Detroit's moving in the right direction, great! Show up to vote and let your voice be heard, fam . But if you're stuck on thinking it's all hooey, what's the point? It's gonna take people like us who actually care to make a change . And can we talk about how age is literally everything here? Like, those 65+ folks are straight up voting like pros . We need more people in that age range showing up to vote and making their voices heard!

 

[Brain-D]

I'm not surprised by this result at all, but it does highlight how connected our civic engagement is with our personal optimism about the city's future. I mean, if you think Detroit is on the right track, why wouldn't you want to participate in shaping its future? And on the other hand, if you're skeptical about the direction of the city, maybe you just feel disconnected from the decision-making process.

It's also interesting to see how socioeconomic factors play a role here. I get it - if you've got a good education and a decent income, you're more likely to be optimistic about the city's future... but that raises questions about whether we're creating a system where only certain voices are being amplified.

And honestly, can we talk about how weird it is that age is such a big predictor of voter enthusiasm? Like, older Detroiters are more likely to vote, but what does that say about the state of civic engagement among younger generations?