NEW YORK CITY, NY — Mayor Eric Adams is encountering significant challenges as he approaches the end of his second year in office, with a Quinnipiac University poll of registered voters in New York City revealing a low approval rating of 28 percent, against a disapproval rating of 58 percent. This marks the lowest job approval rating for a New York City mayor since Quinnipiac began its polling in 1996.
Adams receives support predominantly from Black voters, with a 48 percent approval rating. However, his own party, the Democrats, give him a 35 – 49 percent job approval rating, indicating significant dissatisfaction.
Voters disapprove of Adams’ handling of key issues including crime (33 percent approve, 60 percent disapprove), public schools (31 percent approve, 53 percent disapprove), the surge of migrants seeking sanctuary (26 percent approve, 66 percent disapprove), the city budget (22 percent approve, 66 percent disapprove), and homelessness (22 percent approve, 72 percent disapprove).
In terms of personal traits, Mayor Adams is also seen negatively, with 55 percent of voters saying he does not have strong leadership qualities, 56 percent saying he does not understand the problems of people like them, and 54 percent saying he is not honest and trustworthy.
Regarding budget cuts, 83 percent of voters express concern that the citywide budget cuts announced by Mayor Adams will affect their daily lives. Nearly two-thirds support raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers as a measure to help close the city’s budget gap.
The migrant crisis also remains a significant concern, with 85 percent of voters worried about the city’s capacity to accommodate the recent surge of migrants. A majority agree with Adams’ statement that the migrant surge could “destroy the city,” and there is a near-unanimous opinion that the federal government is not doing enough to assist.
Despite these concerns, 65 percent of voters approve of the right to shelter mandate, ensuring housing for anyone homeless and seeking shelter.
Overall satisfaction with how things are going in New York City is low, with 32 percent of voters either somewhat or very satisfied, and two-thirds either somewhat or very dissatisfied, marking the highest percentage of voters expressing significant dissatisfaction since Quinnipiac began asking this question.
Affordable housing and crime tie as the most urgent issues facing New York City today, according to the voters surveyed, followed by immigration, homelessness, and inflation.