Poll: Six in Ten Michigan Voters Support Re-introduction of Full Electric Choice

Results from a new poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies indicate that 58 percent of likely Michigan voters support legislation to eliminate the 10% electric choice cap, while only 20% oppose it.

Energy Choice Now noted that this favorable view of electric choice comes, "despite a month-long statewide TV advertising blitz by choice opponents."

Specifically, Michigan voters were asked:

"Now, as you may know, there’s a proposal being debated in the State Legislature that would deregulate Michigan’s electric market by eliminating the ten percent cap on competition and give consumers a competitive choice of who to buy their electricity from. Generally speaking, do you support or oppose this proposal?"

Fully 58% of voters support this proposal, with just 20% in opposition, Public Opinion Strategies said.

Public Opinion Strategies further said that even after Michigan voters hear top arguments from both sides, support for electric choice remains strong.

Voters were specifically asked:

"Next, I’d like to read you two points of view on this proposal, and after you hear both statements, please tell me which ONE comes closer to your own opinion...

(SOME/OTHER) people say eliminating the ten percent cap on the number of people who are able to choose their electric provider will create a competitive market that moves the state away from monopoly electric rates. They say this will lower rates for hard-working families and small businesses to help create a better economic climate to bring more jobs to Michigan.

...while...

(OTHER/SOME) people say that we’ve tried this before in Michigan for almost a decade with support from out-of-state marketers and it was a failure. They say that deregulation threatens Michigan with problems like rolling blackouts, unexpected outages and skyrocketing energy costs, and would place the state at risk of running short of electricity to meet the needs of its families and businesses."

"After voters hear both sides, support for the legislative proposal doesn’t change, as 58% of Michigan voters say their opinion comes closer to the first statement above while just 24% say their opinion comes closer to the second statement," Public Opinion Strategies said.