- Balloting has concluded for Bridge Listens; more than 6,400 responded
- Democracy, affordability, the environment and more are among the top concerns
- Bridge is hosting an Issues Summit on Oct. 21 to discuss the top issues of the state
Balloting for Bridge Listens concluded Wednesday, with more than 6,400 residents helping identify the top issues in the 2026 election and shaping Bridge Michigan’s election coverage.
In all, voting in the unscientific survey lasted seven months, with 2,809 participating in a first round from January to February, then nearly 3,600 readers participating in a second round that asked them to identify their top concern from a ballot of more than 30-plus issues.
That’s more than 30 people a day making their voices heard.
Overall, top issues were the state of democracy, rising costs, the environment and data centers, the Trump administration, schools and health care.
Concerns varied by region.
In Detroit, nearly 1 in 2 cited the economy as the top issue, while housing was a biggest concern in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. In affluent Ann Arbor, less than 1 in 5 cited affordability.
In west Michigan, the environment and energy were mentioned disproportionately more than in mid-Michigan. And respondents in southwest Michigan tended to worry more about health care.
Attitudes changed as the survey progressed.
In early January, for instance, immigration and Trump were among the top issues, as the crackdown from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raged in Minnesota. As months progressed, border security fell in importance to issues like the economy and democracy.
Surprising perhaps no one, Trump loomed large throughout the survey
Nearly 1 in 5 respondents mentioned him by name. The vast majority were negative, reflecting his low approval ratings.
One thing that shined through all responses was passion for Michigan, pride in the state — and a fear that politicians aren’t paying serious attention to real issues, from schools and the environment to government transparency and data centers.
“I’m concerned for the future of children and residents here,” a Birmingham reader wrote.
Bridge intends to continue surveying readers about issues and using responses to help shape coverage.
The campaign culminates Oct. 21 at Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit with the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit, a free, in-person discussion of top issues shaping Michigan’s future that will also stream statewide.
Catch up on previous coverage:
- The state of democracy, transparency in Michigan
- How Michigan’s next governor would change elections, transparency
- In their own words: Michigan governor candidate on voting rules, democracy
- Where Michigan governor candidates stand on health care costs, access
- Where Michigan governor candidates stand on data centers, the environment
- Where Michigan governor candidates stand on schools, literacy
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