Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. a national polling company based in Lansing, MI.

In 2024, ActiVote ranked all state and national polling companies on accuracy. Mitchell Research ranked 13th
ahead of the Washington Post, New York Times, ABC News, CNN, YouGov, Quinnipiac, and other better-
known companies.

Methodology

The poll was conducted November 18-21, 2026, by text messaging a randomly selected list of registered
voter’s cell phones and directing them to a SurveyMonkey poll (MMS-Web) and using online panels. The
Margin of Error for N=616 General Election voters is 3.95% at the 95% Level of Confidence; N=197 Detroiters
has an MoE of 6.98%.

The data was weighted by gender, age, race, education. Party affiliation, and 2022 and 2024 top of the ticket
results to match what Mitchell Research believes the voter turnout will be in 2026.

Field Copy (Aggregate Percentages)

MI Statewide Poll - Belle Isle

(N=616 LV’s Statewide + N=197 LV’s Detroit)
Conducted November 18 - 21, 2025
You must answer all questions or none of your answers will count.

1. Are you a registered voter in Michigan?

MI DET
Yes 100% 100%
No END END

2. Thinking about the November 2026 General Election for Governor, are you…
MI DET
Definitely Voting 87% 78%
Probably Voting 5 14
Not sure yet 5 8
Definitely Not Voting END END

3. How will you vote in the November 2026 General Election for Governor?
MI DET
Vote at my polling center on election day at my regular voting site 57% 57%
Vote during 9 days of early voting allowed through Sunday before election day 33 36
Vote by absentee ballot 10 7

Before questions on other issues, a few statistical questions:

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
4. With what gender do you identify?
MI DET
Male 54% 54%
Female 46 46

5. What is your age?

MI DET
18-29 12% 15%
30-44 20 23
45-64 38 27
65+ 30 35

6. What is your race?

MI DET
White 80% 12%
African American 12 80
Other 8 8

7. Are you a Democrat or lean Democrat, a Republican or lean Republican, a member of another party,
or independent?
MI DET
Democrat 36% 65%
Republican 36 16
Independent 28 18

8. From what city do you get your local television news?

MI DET
Detroit 44% 100%
Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek 18
Flint/Saginaw/Bay City 8
Lansing/Jackson 6
Traverse City/Cadillac 5
Marquette 4
Somewhere else 13
Not Sure 2

9. What area do you live in?

MI DET
City of Detroit 5% 100%
Wayne County outside of Detroit 14
Oakland County 14
Macomb County 9
Genesee, Saginaw, Bay,
Midland, & the thumb 9
Livingston, Monroe, Washtenaw,
or Mid-Michigan 15
West Michigan 22
Northern Michigan or Upper Peninsula 12

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
10. What is your education?
MI DET
Did not attend college or trade school 19% 54%
Attended college or trade school 45 27
College graduate 20 14
Master’s degree or higher 16 5

11. Have you ever heard of Belle Isle?

MI DET
Yes 83% 88%
No 13 9
Not sure 4 3

12. Have you been to Belle Isle?

MI DET
Yes 57% 92%
No 40 8
Not sure 3 1

13. If Yes above, how many visits in the past year have you made to Belle Isle?
MI DET
Less than 5 77% 50%
5-10 9 24
More than 10 5 23
Not sure 9 2

14. If Yes above, what activity did you do the most on Belle Isle?
MI DET
Visit the Detroit Yacht Club 7% 4%
Bicycling 6 5
Running 1 2
Picnics 13 26
Beach 6 25
Fishing 4 3
Golf center 1 1
Visit the aquarium
conservatory, museum 30 20
Other 31 14

Belle Isle is a 982-acre island in the Detroit River between Detroit, MI and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
The entrance is from Jefferson Ave. in Detroit over the McArthur Bridge. Belle Isle is owned by the City
of Detroit and maintained by the State of Michigan as a state park. It has an estimated 5.2 million
visitors every year.

A sponsor group is preparing a plan to make Belle Isle a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as a high-
density area within Detroit, accessible to Detroiters and others.

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
15. The goal for Belle Isle is to build a high-income mixed-use housing, entertainment, and retail district
of Detroit with a population of 50,000 people. Residents will have unique tax advantages. It will
create 20,000 high paying construction jobs over ten years and 46,000 good paying permanent jobs.
Detroit residents will be hired first for these jobs. Detroit would receive a one-time $1 billion payment
from the sponsors and $50 million each year. Belle Isle would have more employees than the
current top four employers in Detroit. The total payroll for 46,000 employees, at an average of about
$90,000, would total more than $4.2 billion a year going into the Southeast Michigan economy. It
would create an additional $175 million in state taxes, making Detroit less dependent on state
revenue tax dollars. The total investment to build out Belle Isle would be $50 billion.

With this information, do you support or oppose creating a Special Economic Zone on Belle Isle?

MI DET
Support 42% 71%
Oppose 37% 22%
Not sure 20 7

Below is information regarding a project for each statement please tell me if it would make you more or
less likely to support this project.

16. The goal is to ultimately have about 50,000 people live on Belle Isle in mixed use housing that would
include regular homes, apartments, condos, and high-rise apartments. They will be contributing
significantly to the Southeast Michigan economy while preserving beaches and picnic areas now so
popular with Detroiters.
MI DET
Much more likely 20% 41%
Little more likely 22 42% 20 61%
Little less likely 11 35% 8 30%
Much less likely 24 + 7% 22 +31%
Not sure 22 9

17. During construction, construction workers’ state income tax will send $51 million to the state of
Michigan to pay for additional state services for all state residents no matter where they live. That
will increase to $175 million once the construction period is over and the island is fully populated.
This means that Belle Isle will be paying an amount equal to 70% of the revenue sharing Detroit
currently receives from the state.
MI DET
Much more likely 17% 35%
Little more likely 25 42% 28 63%
Little less likely 9 31% 9 28%
Much less likely 22 +11% 19 +35%
Not sure 26 9

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
18. In order to create $175 million in state income tax revenue from workers on the island and to be
able to pay the state’s revenue sharing budget $139 million while also sending so much money to
the City of Detroit, the Sponsor Group is going to give real income tax and other tax relief.
Residents would not pay any federal or state income taxes. Residents would pay Belle Isle
property taxes and a 6% sales tax.
MI DET
Much more likely 18% 33%
Little more likely 18 36% 26 59%
Little less likely 10 41% 7 30%
Much less likely 31 - 6% 23 +29%
Not sure 23 12

19. Like Mackinac Island, the sponsors envision that Belle Isle would be a walking community without
cars. An elevated monorail would serve for mass transit allowing residents an easy fast way to get
to places on the island they want to go and allowing visitors to be able to go to picnic areas, the
beach or other attractions with the same speed and ease as residents enjoy.
MI DET
Much more likely 25% 35%
Little more likely 23 48% 30 65%
Little less likely 8 32% 10 24%
Much less likely 24 +16% 14 +41%
Not sure 20 11

20. In order to receive the tax benefits, Belle Isle would have to be the residents’ primary address at
which they live a majority of the year, ensuring that they are participating and contributing to the
Metro Detroit economy. MI DET
Much more likely 23% 38%
Little more likely 23 46% 27 65%
Little less likely 8 31% 7 28%
Much less likely 23 +15% 21 +37
Not sure 23 7

21. The construction of the new buildings on the Island will create 20,000 high paying new jobs for 10
years. This will create a $12 billion payroll which will allow workers to build a quality lifestyle in the
Detroit area. These workers will also pay the state almost a HALF BILLION DOLLARS in income tax
over the construction time.
MI DET
Much more likely 22% 43%
Little more likely 25 47% 22 65%
Little less likely 10 34% 6 27%
Much less likely 24 +13% 21 +38%
Not sure 20 7

22. A city of 50,000 people requires about 46,000 people to work in local government, restaurants, retail
stores, grocery stores, and all the other jobs we see in cities. Belle Isle’s development will lead to
46,000 high paying new jobs with Detroit residents getting first chance to fill those jobs.
MI DET
Much more likely 22% 40%
Little more likely 25 47% 24 64%
Little less likely 9 34% 9 26%
Much less likely 25 +13% 17 +38%
Not sure 19 10
[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
23. The 46,000 Belle Isle employees would be more than the current top four employers in Detroit. At an
average of $90,000 a year, the total payroll would be $4.1 billion a year going into the Southeast
Michigan economy creating an additional $175 million in state income and sales taxes, making
Detroit less dependent on state revenue tax dollars.
MI DET
Much more likely 24% 41%
Little more likely 23 47% 27 68%
Little less likely 8 33% 8 25%
Much less likely 25 +14% 17 + 43%
Not sure 21 8

24. It is estimated that there will be 1,000 hotel rooms, 140 dining, coffee shops etc., 7 miles of a
modern monorail, and a medical center with one million square feet. These venues will attract
visitors from not only the Tri-County Area, but from all over the state, nation, and world.
MI DET
Much more likely 23% 43%
Little more likely 22 45% 23 66%
Little less likely 9 35% 5 25%
Much less likely 26 +10% 20 +41%
Not sure 19 8

25. The residents would have to pay property taxes and a sales tax of 6% to the governing body of Belle
Isle. Excess money, after paying to operate the island, would go to revenue sharing for the state as
well as grants to the City of Detroit. Michigan currently pays revenue sharing to every city, township,
and village in the state. Belle Isle would pay the state of Michigan $139 million every year to be
shared with every municipality in the state. The Big 3 Counties, Wayne not including Detroit,
Oakland and Macomb would each receive an additional $10-$14 million every year from Belle Isle,
while the other 80 counties would receive an average of $1 million per county per year from the Belle
Isle revenue. Detroit would receive a grant for $50 million a year.
MI DET
Much more likely 21% 36%
Little more likely 25 46% 24 60%
Little less likely 9 23% 16 30%
Much less likely 24 +23% 14 +30%
Not sure 22 10

26. In addition to every county in the state receiving the total of $139 million, and in exchange for the
City of Detroit giving the sponsor group the right to build on Belle Isle, the sponsors would pay the
City of Detroit a one-time $1 billion payment and provide a yearly $50 million grant we mentioned
earlier, reducing dependency of Detroit on state and federal funding.
MI DET
Much more likely 22% 37%
Little more likely 25 47% 8 45%
Little less likely 9 32% 28 45%
Much less likely 23 +15% 17 0%
Not sure 21 10

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
27. The Belle Isle SEZ would provide the most competitive business policy environment in the world,
producing great ideas that could well spill over to investments in other parts of Southeast Michigan.
MI DET
Much more likely 19% 39%
Little more likely 22 41% 23 62%
Little less likely 7 33% 11 28%
Much less likely 26 + 8% 17 +34%
Not sure 26 11

28. All current Belle Isle monuments, landmarks, buildings and facilities will be preserved, and in some
cases, improved. MI DET
Much more likely 33% 41%
Little more likely 28 61% 26 67%
Little less likely 6 23% 9 27%
Much less likely 17 +38% 18 +40%
Not sure 16 6

29. Another goal of the district would be to provide a Formula 1 racetrack to bring back world class auto
racing to Detroit.
MI DET
Much more likely 27% 37%
Little more likely 20 47% 21 58%
Little less likely 8 34% 14 33%
Much less likely 26 +13% 19 +25%
Not sure 19 9

30. Belle Isle is a popular destination for family reunions. The Belle Isle SEZ plan includes maintaining
dedicated space to ensure that the island continues to host family reunions, picnics, and similar
gatherings.
MI DET
Much more likely 35% 46%
Little more likely 21 56% 25 71%
Little less likely 7 28% 7 24%
Much less likely 18 +28% 17 +57%
Not sure 19 6

31. The proposed Belle Isle SEZ will continue to be a space that is always open to the general public.
MI DET
Much more likely 34% 43%
Little more likely 24 58% 25 68%
Little less likely 9 27% 7 24%
Much less likely 18 +31% 17 +44%
Not sure 16 6

32. The Belle Isle SEZ vision includes paying to transform vacant land, abandoned schools and parks
throughout the city of Detroit into world class green spaces and playgrounds in neighborhoods.
MI DET
Much more likely 36% 43%
Little more likely 25 61% 27 70%
Little less likely 6 25% 8 22%
Much less likely 19 +36% 14 +58%
Not sure 17 11
[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
33. The Belle Isle SEZ team is developing a plan to implement literacy and job training programs in the
city of Detroit to prepare youth for the jobs this new community will provide.
MI DET
Much more likely 32% 45%
Little more likely 25 57% 24 69%
Little less likely 6 25% 9 26%
Much less likely 19 + 32% 17 +43%
Not sure 17 8

34. The Belle Isle SEZ will be completely privately funded and will not utilize any public funding in its
development.
MI DET
Much more likely 31% 42%
Little more likely 21 52% 24 66%
Little less likely 9 30% 5 23%
Much less likely 21 +22% 18 +43%
Not sure 18 8

35. The Belle Isle SEZ will require all new buildings and development to meet standards of beauty and
quality in architecture and building materials.
MI DET
Much more likely 33% 45%
Little more likely 24 57% 24 69%
Little less likely 7 26% 5 23%
Much less likely 19 +31% 18 +46%
Not sure 17 8

36. The state will no longer have to pay $11 million a year to maintain the island.
MI DET
Much more likely 37% 46%
Little more likely 19 56% 18 64%
Little less likely 7 26% 12 30%
Much less likely 19 +30% 18 +34%
Not sure 18 6

37. Now that you have all of the information about this proposal, would you support or oppose making
Belle Isle a Special Economic Zone?
MI DET
Support 51% 68%
Oppose 32% 27%
Not sure + 17 5

38. What is your opinion of Dubai?

MI DET
Unaware of Dubai 16% 21%
Very positive 12 21
Somewhat positive 14 32% 18 49%
Somewhat negative 18 30% 14 28%
Very negative 12 4
Not sure 28 22

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933
 39. In the 2024 General election for President, did you vote for Kamala Harris the Democrat, Donald
Trump the Republican, or someone else?
MI DET
Harris 47% 65%
Trump 48 21
Someone else 3 8
Didn’t vote in 2024 2 5

40. In the 2022 General election for Governor, did you vote for Tudor Dixon the Republican, Gretchen
Whitmer the Democrat, or someone else?
MI DET
Dixon 43% 8%
Whitmer 53 77
Someone else 2 9
Didn’t vote in 2022 2 5

Thank you

[Link]
Mitchell Michigan/Detroit Poll (N=616 LV’s -N=197 LV’s))
Conducted November 18-21, 2025)
Phone 248-891-2414 – 101 S. Washington Square – Suite 500 – Lansing, MI 48933