Our new poll of Maryland registered voters was published in The Washington Post last week. The poll shows strong support for the Governor and (some) elements of his budget plan.
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You can read the whole Washington Post article about these results at this link (for subscribers only!).
At CDCE, we are always trying to mobilize the whole UMD community to strengthen democracy. Part of how we do that is by designing great civic education tools to help Marylanders understand state government and helping state government understand Marylanders through high quality research and programming.
That’s why I’m excited to share some of the results of the latest Washington Post-UMD poll which we conducted at the end of January. This poll included 1,002 Marylanders randomly sampled from a voter registration database with 63% reached by cell phone, 16% reached by landline, and 21% who completed the survey online via a text message invitation. It provides a fascinating snapshot of how public opinion in Maryland has changed - and where it hasn’t - at a crucial political moment.
Here are some key takeaways:
1) Governor Moore Remains Popular
Governor Moore’s approval rating has remained steady in our polling since April 2024. During a period that included a hard fought presidential campaign, a dramatic presidential transition in Washington, ongoing local crises related to the Key Bridge and state budget, and extensive coverage of Governor Moore by both local and national press, Governor Moore’s approval rating remains basically unchanged.
2) Voters Like Some (but not all) Elements of the Governor’s Budget Plan
Our poll found high levels of support for the elements of the Governor’s budget plan related to taxing the rich, cannabis, and sports betting. Proposed cuts to the University System of Maryland and to funding that supports people with developmental disabilities are particularly unpopular.
3) Affordable Housing Replaces Crime as the Top Concern for Maryland Voters
This poll reflects a significant break from a previous trend of increasing voter concerns about crime. The proportion of voters listing crime as the biggest problem facing the state dropped dramatically from our 2024 Maryland poll, while large and growing numbers of voters continued to rank housing, taxes, and the economy as the top problem facing the state.
What’s next for our efforts to understand Maryland public opinion?
These data represent just a few of the insights into public opinion in Maryland that this poll provides at a crucial political moment for the state and nation. We are continuing to analyze these results with our partners at The Washington Post and our team at CDCE to find valuable insights that can help us all understand the needs and desires of people all across the state. We look forward to sharing more of them in the days to come!
Mike Hanmer is a Professor of Government and Politics, Director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, the Michael Miller Endowed Faculty Fellow in Government and Politics, and co-Principal Investigator of the Maryland Democracy Initiative.
