A new statewide survey shows concerns about the economic situation looming large on Maines’ mind, and a wide partisan divide on the direction of the state and confirmation of elected officials. It became.
Digital Research’s “Voices of Maine: Key Insights on Maine” fall 2024 report asked Mainers about their opinions on several politicians and their outlook for the state and nation.
Respondents were also asked to identify the most important issue currently facing Maine, with economic-related concerns such as housing, cost of living, and inflation being top of mind for the majority of Mainers (over 60). It has become clear that this is a priority. Percentage of responses when summed.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
The report goes on to explain that Democrats are statistically more concerned about housing and the environment, while Republicans are significantly more concerned about inflation and the economy in general.
(Related: Maine homes nearly 9% more expensive in 2023 — Maine Association of Realtors)
Unregistered voters were most likely to cite the state’s aging population as a primary concern and about as likely as Republicans to cite immigration.
Despite frequently citing economy-related concerns, Maine’s premier is becoming increasingly optimistic about the future of the economy. That said, Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to feel that way and much more likely than unregistered voters.
(Related: Almost 60% of Maine residents struggle to buy basic necessities – Pine Tree State Poll)
This gap mirrors one found in the August Pine Tree State Poll, a state public opinion project conducted by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Research Center.
The survey found that nearly half of Mainers, including 62% of independents and 86% of Republicans, report that their household finances are worse than they were at the same time last year. But only 15 percent of Maine Democrats said the same.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
According to the survey, opinions in Mainz are evenly divided as to whether the state is moving in the right or wrong direction.
Analysis provided by Digital Research shows that educational attainment is closely related to the likelihood of having a favorable outlook on the direction of the country, with higher levels of education increasing the likelihood of believing the country is on the right track. It is highly correlated.
Other notable subgroups of voters most likely to feel the state is moving in the right direction are: 60% Democrats, 50% over age 65, and voters with annual incomes of $75,000 or more. 46%, and survivors. in District 1, 42 percent;
When asked if the state was on the “wrong path,” 66% of Republicans agreed with this opinion, compared to just 17% of Democrats.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Maine residents are even more pessimistic about the direction of the country, with 52% saying it’s heading in the wrong direction and only 22% feeling it’s heading in the right direction.
More than 80% of Republicans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, compared to just 28% of Democrats who feel the same way.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Exactly half of Maine residents surveyed in the survey approved of the job that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is doing, compared to 76% of Democrats and just 20% of Republicans. .
(Related: More than 40% of Maine residents say the state is moving in the wrong direction — Pine Tree State Poll)
There is also a noticeable difference in support ratings between the main factions in the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, with 58% support in the southern part of the state and 42% in the northern part of the state.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Sen. Angus King (I) is seeking re-election this year and is running against Democrat David Costello, Republican Demi Kouzonas, and independent Jason Cherry, with an approval rating of 53%. It turned out.
(Related: Everything you need to know to vote in the next election)
As with Governor Mills, King’s approval rating was significantly higher among Democrats than Republicans, at 71 percent and 29 percent, respectively.
The report also noted that King had good support among women, older Mainers, college-educated voters, and voters from higher-income households.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Mainers appear to be even more divided regarding Sen. Susan Collins (R), who is not up for re-election this term.
According to the survey, 42 percent of Mainers disapprove of Collins’ performance while in office, compared to just 37 percent who approve.
29% of Democrats, 43% of Republicans and 38% of unregistered voters supported Collins.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Representative Cherry Pingree (D), who is seeking re-election in the 1st Congressional District against Republican Ronald C. Russell and independent Ethan Alcorn, has similar approval ratings as Collins. Yes, but the partisan divide has reversed.
Fifty-eight percent of Democrats in the 1st District expressed support for Rep. Pingree, compared to 20% of Republicans and 33% of unregistered voters.
Interestingly, the report states that nearly half of District 1 voters say they “don’t know” what to make of Pingree’s job performance.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Rep. Jared Golden (D), who is running against state Rep. Austin Theriault (R-Fort Kent) in an extremely close race for the 2nd District seat in the House, has a higher disapproval rating than approval rating and a lower job approval rating. is only 34%.
As for Pingree, Democrats are much more likely to approve of Golden’s performance in office, with 57 percent approval rating compared to just 19 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of unregistered voters. are.
Again, like Pingree, 39 percent of District 2 voters are unsure how to rate Mr. Golden’s performance in office.
Source: Digital Research, The Voice of Maine: Critical Insights on Maine Fall 2024 Report — available here
Click here to read the full report
