A new Washington Post survey conducted in partnership with the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE), shows strong support for the Governor and (some) elements of his budget plan.

The Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) works to mobilize the entire University of Maryland community to strengthen democracy. One of their key initiatives involves creating impactful civic education tools to help Marylanders better understand state government, while also helping the government understand the needs of its residents through high-quality research and programming.

Here are the results of the latest Washington Post-UMD poll, which CDCE conducted at the end of January. This poll included 1,002 Marylanders randomly sampled from a voter registration database with 63% reached by cell phone, 16% reached by landline, and 21% who completed the survey online via a text message invitation. It provides a fascinating snapshot of how public opinion in Maryland has changed - and where it hasn’t - at a crucial political moment.

Here are some key takeaways:

1) Governor Moore Remains Popular

Governor Moore’s approval rating has remained steady in our polling since April 2024. During a period that included a hard fought presidential campaign, a dramatic presidential transition in Washington, ongoing local crises related to the Key Bridge and state budget, and extensive coverage of Governor Moore by both local and national press, Governor Moore’s approval rating remains basically unchanged.

2) Voters Like Some (but not all) Elements of the Governor’s Budget Plan

Our poll found high levels of support for the elements of the Governor’s budget plan related to taxing the rich, cannabis, and sports betting. Proposed cuts to the University System of Maryland and to funding that supports people with developmental disabilities are particularly unpopular.

3) Affordable Housing Replaces Crime as the Top Concern for Maryland Voters

This poll reflects a significant break from a previous trend of increasing voter concerns about crime. The proportion of voters listing crime as the biggest problem facing the state dropped dramatically from our 2024 Maryland poll, while large and growing numbers of voters continued to rank housing, taxes, and the economy as the top problem facing the state.

What’s next for our efforts to understand Maryland public opinion?

These results are just a small part of the broader insights that the Washington Post-UMD poll provides at a crucial time for both the state and the nation. CDCE is continuing to analyze the results in partnership with The Washington Post to uncover deeper insights into the needs and priorities of Marylanders. More findings will be shared in the coming days.

This article originally appeared on the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Substack.

Read the full Washington Post article here.