Whitmer approval drops from 52 to 43 percent as voters react to rate hikes gas tax stance and system concerns

LANSING, MI - Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s job approval rating dropped from 52 percent in February to 43 percent in March in a new EPIC-MRA poll of 600 likely Michigan voters, a nine point decline in one month that now leaves more voters viewing her performance negatively than positively, with issues like rising utility costs gas prices and state system concerns driving the shift.

The drop follows approval of a $276.6 million Consumers Energy rate increase set to take effect May 1, which is expected to raise electric costs for Michigan households. At the same time, Whitmer declined to suspend the state gas tax while prices remained elevated, a move some lawmakers criticized as putting state revenue ahead of short term relief for drivers.

Concerns have also surfaced over how Michigan systems handle verification, including reports that benefit applications and voter registration processes rely on self reported information at the point of entry. Whitmer has maintained that Michigan’s election systems remain secure.

The change in polling over a single month signals a measurable shift in voter sentiment, with dissatisfaction appearing across multiple issues rather than a single event driving the numbers.

What do you think is behind the change in how voters are viewing Whitmer right now?