(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/31/2024) A combined 36 percent of Michiganders reported losing relationships with friends, family or both over their voting choices, according to a new MIRS-sponsored poll conducted by Mitchell Research and Communications.  

Overall, 13 percent said they lost friends, 6 percent said they lost family and 17 percent said they lost both. The majority, 58 percent, said they didn't lose anyone, and 7 percent weren't sure.  

The Oct. 28-29 survey of 1,117 respondents asked several questions designed to judge the mood of the electorate – how seriously they view the election and the selection process they used to make their choices for president. 

 - In one question, respondents were asked how they decided who they were voting for, and the upshot was that only 1 percent still haven't made up their mind on president. 

A 72 percent majority agreed with the statement, “It was never a difficult decision for me. I always knew which of the two major candidates (Trump or Harris) I would be voting for and did not give any serious consideration to the other candidate.” 

Another 20 percent agreed with the statement, “I carefully looked at Harris and Trump before deciding which one I like best.” 

Two percent agreed with the statement, “I never considered a third party candidate, but I had a very difficult time deciding on whether I should vote for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris before finally deciding on one of those two.” 

Two percent agreed with, “I did not like either Trump or Harris, so I am voting for a third party candidate.” 

 - The poll also reported that 91 percent of respondents agree with the statement: “If my presidential candidate does not win in November, the country will be significantly different in four years.” A 7 percent minority said no and 4 percent weren't sure. 

 - Also, the poll revealed that nearly a third of voters have donated money to a political campaign this year, 29 percent gave to the presidential race and smaller percentages gave to lower ballot races. A 66 percent majority said they did not give. 

 - The polling results found that 53 percent said they are worse off now than they were four years ago. A 43 percent minority said they were a little better off.