LANSING, Mich. (MIRS News) – Nearly 43% of Michigan voters said their financial position is worse off today than it was a year ago. Also, 75% of respondents believe their economic prospects would worsen or stay the same over the next year, according to a study released by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR).

The poll through Michigan State University conducted Sept. 2-15 found that 55.4% of voters support Attorney General Dana Nessel in the 2022 election while 44.6% support Republican Matt DePerno. In terms of Secretary of State, 59% support incumbent Jocelyn Benson while 41% support Republican Kristina Karamo.

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On the economy question, however, a USA Today and Suffolk University survey from last week shows inflation and the economy have shoved abortion into second place. It’s now 37% that list inflation first and 18% cite abortion as most important to them.

A closer look at the data uncovers a gender gap that may be beneficial to Democrats who can find few silver linings in this realignment of voter concerns.

Asked which was more important to them, 56% pointed to inflation and 40% to abortion, but while 62% of men choose inflation it’s only a three-point margin for female voters 50%-47%.

The same thing occurs with independents on which party should control Congress. By 57%-35% men pick the R’s but 51% of women pick the Democrats and based on research that could be good news for the D’s.

It turns out that in every presidential election since 1964 more women than men have voted by about 3%. And in the African American voting block the gender gap is 10% with 64% of the women and 54% of the men voting.

Hence the Democrats could hope that with more women showing up, maybe they have a better shot at holding some Congressional power.

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That Oct. 19-24 survey has a margin of error +/- 3.1%.