Voter Empowerment Index.
Our research delivers data and insights to support informed democracy. Since 2022, the Voter Empowerment Index has provided independent polling to track voter sentiment and engagement. Since then, the VEI has become the go-to resource for understanding where New York's electorate stands for voters and decision makers alike.
Volume 5 April 2023
Summary
- Respondents were asked about their opinions on the current political environment in New York
This included questions about considering leaving the state, how politics in New York compares to other states, and whether New York politics are on the right track. - New Yorkers’ top issues of concern were identified
Respondents were asked to pick the two most important issues from a list of current issues facing New York residents. - Support levels for election-related issues in New York were evaluated
Issues presented included term limits for governor and the state legislature, citizen ballot initiatives, ranked-choice voting, nonpartisan primaries, and a 45,000 signature minimum to get a third party candidate on the ballot. - New Yorkers were asked about their willingness to engage across the aisle and fix what’s broken in politics
The poll gauged which civic engagement activities respondents plan to participate in, how willing they would be to engage with an organization seeking to reduce division, and how fixable politics are in New York.
New Yorkers see the state's political environment as on the wrong track
0%
of New Yorkers see the state's political environment as on the wrong track
Key Findings
- 50% of New Yorkers see the state's political environment as on the wrong track
Even more (51%) are considering leaving the state because of the current political environment - Key reforms received widespread support, including term limits for governor (77%) and state legislature (75%)
Large support for reforms show a path forward for getting New York politics on the right track. - 49% of New Yorkers think politics in the state are closer to entirely fixable
Even more (55%) expressed a willingness to engage across the aisle and reduce political division - Most New Yorkers (53%) agree that addressing crime and public safety is the top issue facing all residents
Policy makers would benefit from addressing these issues that a majority of New Yorkers see as most important and build a coalition among the 55% of residents eager to fix what's broken through cross-partisan engagement and reforms.
New Yorkers are willing to engage across the aisle and reduce political division.
0%
of New Yorkers expressed a willingness to engage across the aisle and reduce political division.