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

Detroit's optimism about the city's future appears to be closely tied to its likelihood of voting in next week's mayoral election, according to a recent University of Michigan survey. The study found that nearly 70% of Detroiters with a positive view of the city's direction stated they would definitely vote on November 4, compared to less than half of those who believe the city is moving in the wrong direction.

The survey suggests that residents' optimism about the city's trajectory plays a significant role in shaping their voting intentions. A majority of respondents (56%) agreed that Detroit is headed in the right direction, while nearly 13% said it's on the wrong track. Notably, those who are more optimistic about the city's future are more likely to participate in the election.

Demographically, optimism tends to vary significantly across different age groups, with older residents and those from higher-income households expressing greater confidence in Detroit's direction. Furthermore, men and white residents tend to be more optimistic than women and Black or Latino residents.

The survey also highlights geographical disparities in optimism, with residents in Downtown, Midtown, and Southwest Detroit being more likely to view the city as moving in the right direction compared to those on the east side.

When asked about their top priorities for the next mayor, respondents overwhelmingly cited education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs. Infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation also emerged as key issues, with over 60% of residents considering them high priorities.

Interestingly, Black residents were more likely than white residents to identify schools, crime, and housing as top concerns, while women rated safety and affordability higher than men. Notably, optimism about the city's direction varied by geography, with district-specific differences in opinion on Detroit's trajectory observed.

The survey underscores the importance of understanding the complexities of Detroiters' views on the city's future and its impact on voting behavior. The findings highlight both progress and persistent divides across the city, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to addressing the city's most pressing challenges.

Ultimately, the survey suggests that optimism about Detroit's future is closely tied to voting intentions, highlighting the significance of capturing the diverse perspectives of residents in shaping the city's trajectory.

I'm low-key worried about this whole 'optimism vs voting' thing . Like, if 70% of people think the city's gonna be great and they're gonna vote, that's awesome... but what if only those people are participating? You know, the ones who are all like "yeah, Detroit's on the right track" - aren't they just gonna vote yes for whoever's promising them more of the same stuff? Meanwhile, those who actually have concerns about crime, housing, and schools... are they even getting heard? I think it's time we get a clearer picture of what Detroiters really want from their next mayor

just read this study from uni michigan and its crazy how much hope ppl have for detroit's future but like whats the diff btw optimism & actual change lol meanwhile they're still fightin about schools, safety & affordability what we really need is some tangible solutions not just feel good vibes

I'm just so fed up with this whole election thing . It's like they're only counting on people who already think the city is going in the right direction. I mean, what about all the people who are struggling to make ends meet or who have been disappointed by past promises? It feels like no one's really listening to their concerns. And can we talk about how weird it is that optimism is tied to voting intentions? Like, if you're already optimistic, you're more likely to vote... but what if someone's just trying to be optimistic because they don't want to look like a pessimist? It feels like the city needs a whole lot more than just a quick fix of optimism to make real progress.

idk why ppl are so optimistic about detroit's future lol. like, we all know the auto industry crash & bankruptcy & poverty & crime... how can 70% of ppl be so chill? meanwhile those on the east side still gotta deal with rats, abandoned buildings & nothin' but empty streets. dont @ me.

so i think this survey highlights how important it is for our leaders to actually listen to what we want and need from them. I mean, if 70% of detroiters who are optimistic about the city's direction are gonna vote on november 4th, that's a huge deal! but at the same time, it also shows us that there's still so much work to be done, especially when it comes to issues like education, public safety, and affordable housing.

i'm not surprised that optimism varies by age group, income level, and even geography - it's just so true to life, you know? but what really gets me is how these divides exist within our own community. i mean, black residents are more likely to identify schools, crime, and housing as top concerns... same with women rating safety and affordability higher than men

anyway, this survey just reinforces the idea that we need to do better at capturing the diverse perspectives of detroiters. our leaders need to be having real conversations with us about what's working and what's not, and be willing to listen to feedback from all corners of the city

I think its kinda cool dat people in Detroit got so optimistic about their city's future... I mean, we should all be hopeful for our places too! The fact that younger & more wealthy folks are less likely to vote if they don't like where things are going is a bit of a bummer tho... older ppl & those from better off neighborhoods seem to care way more about the city's direction. What if we could get more people, especially those who dont have as much, involved in the decision makin' process? We could make real progress if everyone had a say!

You know I was talking to my friend who lives in Downtown Detroit last year and he told me his plans for the upcoming election were all about getting a good deal on affordable housing . But then I started thinking, what if that's not just about his personal life but also about the city as a whole? If 70% of people with a positive view are voting, it means we're doing something right, you know? Like my grandma used to say, "you can't fix what you don't acknowledge" . We need to listen to our residents, especially those who might be feeling left behind . It's not about one group of people over another; it's about understanding the city as a whole and working towards progress that benefits everyone .

I'm telling ya, it's like back in '95 when the Pistons were killin' it on the court... people had real hope for their city. Nowadays, with this election comin' up, I reckon most folks are just tryin' to keep their heads above water. They're lookin' for someone who'll tackle the big issues, like education and public safety... you know, the stuff that matters. It's interesting how optimism varies by age, income, and even geography... it's like different neighborhoods have their own vibes goin' on. Anyway, I'm keepin' an eye on this election, see what happens.

The survey's findings on the correlation between optimism and voting intentions in Detroit are quite illuminating . It seems that a significant portion of the population has a vested interest in shaping the city's future through their electoral choices. Given the disparities in optimism across different demographics, it's essential to consider these nuances when crafting policies aimed at addressing Detroit's most pressing challenges . For instance, prioritizing education, public safety, and affordable housing may require targeted efforts to address the concerns of Black residents, who are disproportionately affected by issues such as crime and housing insecurity . By taking a more holistic approach to understanding the complexities of Detroiters' views on the city's future, policymakers can work towards creating a more inclusive and optimistic urban landscape .

Wow - this survey shows how much it really matters what people think about their city's future and its impact on who they vote for. It's crazy that optimism plays such a big role in voting intentions, especially with demographic factors like age, income, and neighborhood coming into play. I mean, the fact that black residents are more likely to care about schools, crime, and housing as top concerns is just interesting... and it highlights how much work needs to be done to address these issues

I had the craziest argument with my bf last nite he thinks detroit is totally doomed and can't be saved but I'm like yeah it's got potential lol we were at brunch and i was like honestly i love this city and we're just gonna have to make it work his fam moved from detroit tho so i guess that explains why he's so cynical anyway back to the survey... i think its wild how demographics play a huge role in opinions about the city's future especially with age groups older ppl seem way more optimistic than us youngins lol prioritize affordable housing tho... we need that

Detroiters are literally holding their breath before the mayoral election ... if they're optimistic about the city's direction, they'll definitely show up to vote . The survey says 70% with a positive view would defo vote on Nov 4th! And it's interesting that optimism varies so much across age groups, income levels, and even geography . Like, Downtown Detroiters are super optimistic compared to the east side residents .

I think this survey is pretty interesting... I mean, if people are optimistic about the city's direction, they're more likely to vote . It makes sense that older folks and those from higher-income households would be more optimistic - they've been around for a bit longer, right? But it's also kinda sad that men and white residents are more optimistic than women and minority groups... I mean, shouldn't everyone have an equal say in how their city is run? Anyway, it's great that education, public safety, and affordable housing were top priorities - we need to make sure those things get fixed ASAP!

this survey makes sense man, i mean, who doesnt want to believe their city is gonna be better? but its crazy how demographics play a huge role in optimism - like older ppl and wealthy folks are way more confident than younger ppl and lower-income households. thats some wild stuff also interesting that geographic areas have a big impact on views of the city's direction... downtown and midtown ppl seem to be all about progress, while east side folks are more skeptical and its no surprise that schools, crime, and housing are top concerns for black residents - we gotta acknowledge those systemic issues

omg u gotta feel 4 detroit ppl r literally so hyped 2 vote in this mayoral election like 70% of them w/ a positive view are def showin up meanwhile those who think da city's goin down r only at like 40% which is crazy since most folks still believe we r headed in the right direction however its wild how demographics play into this optimism thing, like white & wealthy ppl r way more optimistic than black & low-income folks which raises some serious questions

omg u guys i just read this survey about detroit and it sounds like the whole city is counting on ppl voting 70% of the positive optimistic ones are def goin vote meanwhile those who think its all bad are like less than half lol what's crazy is how much it varies by age income neighborhood but schools crime housing & jobs are like EVERYONES top priority gotta stay tuned for next mayor

man i'm not surprised by this... seems like ppl are gonna vote if they think things are lookin up but if it's all downhill they're outta there ‍. dont get me wrong its good that ppl have an opinion and are participatin but the demographics be pretty weird - older folks and wealthy ppl always seem to be more optimistic lol. and what's with the east side vs downtown divide? sounds like some major disparities in perception. anyway, education, public safety, housing... these r all super important issues

I can imagine how empowering it must feel to have a say in your city's direction . It's amazing how much optimism plays into our voting decisions . If most people with a positive view of Detroit are more likely to vote, that means their voices are being heard .

It's also really interesting to see the different demographics and neighborhoods having varying levels of optimism . I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for Black and Latino residents who feel like their concerns aren't being addressed .

I love how education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs are at the top of everyone's priority list . It's clear that there are some pressing issues to tackle in Detroit . But on a more positive note, it's great to see that people are coming together to identify common goals .

I think it's so important for us as citizens to keep an open mind and listen to each other's perspectives . We can't just focus on one group or issue; we need to find ways to bridge those divides .