Even with advancements since the COVID-19 crisis, over half of Michigan local officials assert that the state is moving in the wrong direction.

These results derive from the latest edition of the Michigan Public Policy Survey performed by the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy. Since its inception in 2011, the statewide survey has monitored the relationship between the partisanship of local officials and their perspectives on the state’s trajectory.

Data for 2025 indicates that 51% of local officials think Michigan is on the wrong path. This dissatisfaction has decreased from the peak of 67% in 2021 and a recent 59% in 2023. Nevertheless, the level of pessimism remains greater than pre-COVID figures, when approximately 30-35% of local officials felt the state was off course.

Nearly one-third (32%) of local officials contend that the state is largely heading in the right direction, showing a modest improvement from 30% in 2023 and from the record low of 23% in 2021. Overall, 17% are uncertain about the state’s direction, an increase from the 11% who expressed doubt two years prior.

The survey does not clarify “wrong track” or “right direction” for respondents, as noted by Debra Horner, the senior program manager of the survey. It can be seen as a “vibe check,” akin to many nationwide opinion polls or surveys conducted historically.

As with earlier versions of this survey, responses significantly align with party affiliation. Approximately two-thirds of this year’s survey participants identify as Republicans, while 17% classify themselves as independents, and 21% identify as Democrats.

“We consistently observe that views regarding the state’s trajectory are closely tied to local leaders’ party identification concerning the party in control of the governor’s office,” Horner stated. “In essence, Republican local leaders generally exhibit greater optimism about the state’s direction when a Republican serves as governor and less so when a Democrat holds the office, with the reverse true for Democratic local leaders.

“This year, the shift in control of the State House of Representatives following the 2024 election may also lead Republican local leaders to show slightly more optimism.”

Further insights from the survey include:

• Local leaders’ evaluations of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s performance remain steady. This year, fewer than a third (30%) of local leaders statewide appraise Whitmer’s performance as “excellent” or “good,” which is essentially unchanged since 2021 and is strongly linked to the political party of the respondent.
• Ratings for the Michigan Legislature stay low but have seen slight improvement. A small number of local leaders overall believe lawmakers are performing an outright excellent or good job (18%). The “fair” rating has improved to 48% in 2025.

The survey took place from April 7 to June 12. Participants included county, city, township, and village officials from 1,328 jurisdictions throughout the state, resulting in a 72% response rate by unit.

Authored by Rebecca Cohen, Ford School of Public Policy