A recently released poll by Unite NY’s Voter Empowerment Index reveals growing concerns among New Yorkers about the direction in which their state is headed.
Over half of the registered voters, approximately 53%, expressed dissatisfaction with the state’s political trajectory.
This dissatisfaction is further reflected in the dwindling approval ratings of elected officials. Governor Kathy Hochul, for instance, witnessed a 10% drop in her approval rating within just three months, now standing at a concerning 40%.
Other state lawmakers haven’t escaped this sentiment either, with their approval rating sinking to 27% from a previously recorded 36%.
One of the most notable outcomes of this survey is the overwhelming 80% of respondents advocating for term limits for both the governor and the legislature—a policy currently non-existent in the state.
Another telling statistic is that 40% of the participants seriously consider relocating out of New York, showing a clear discontent with the current state of affairs.
Tim Dunn, the Executive Director of Unite NY, emphasized the clear frustration of independent and unaffiliated New Yorkers, the state’s second-largest voter group.
Dunn stressed the importance of bipartisan support for reforms to win back these voters and address their escalating dissatisfaction.
He stated, “I would encourage elected leaders from both parties to take this into account during the policymaking process, as this group is growing in both numbers and extreme dissatisfaction.”
Regarding election reforms, New York appears to be lagging in the eyes of its residents. A mere 10% of voters polled believed the state was doing a commendable job in implementing election reforms compared to other U.S. states.
In terms of immediate issues, crime and public safety topped the list, a concern that has been intensified since the controversial bail reform measures were passed in 2019.
The regulation restricted judges from assigning bail for misdemeanors, and most felonies have been adjusted to grant jurists greater discretion.
Despite the largely negative feedback, there were a few silver linings. The number of voters intending to leave the state dropped by 51% since a March poll.
Additionally, over a third of respondents, or 35%, remain hopeful about resolving the state’s issues, with 54% expressing willingness to engage in dialogue with those holding opposing views.
The Unite NY poll was carried out in June with the findings being released in August and involving 800 voters. The organization, which former Congressional candidate Martin Babinec established, is a staunch advocate for election reform and open elections, striving to focus on the core issues rather than individual candidates.
A similar survey conducted by Siena College released last week reveals that most New York voters view the state’s migrant influx as a “serious” concern.
According to the findings, 82% of the respondents view the recent surge of migrants as a significant issue, with 54% categorizing it as “very serious.”
Additionally, 46% of those surveyed feel that the migrants who have settled in New York over the last 20 years have been more of a “burden” than a “benefit.”
A majority of those who participated in the survey believe that the state has extended adequate support to migrants and should now focus on moderating the influx rather than welcoming more.
The Siena College poll took place from August 13 to 16, and involved 803 registered voters in New York State.
