Franklin & Marshall College released a new poll highlighting how Pennsylvania voters feel about key issues, including personal finances, ICE and Gov. Josh Shapiro.Video above: Check out the latest weather forecast. The poll sampled 353 democrats, 347 republicans and 134 independents from Feb. 18 through March 1. Direction of the state and personal financesState direction: More voters say Pennsylvania is on the wrong track (44 percent) than headed in the right direction (39 percent).Personal finances:36 percent say they’re worse off financially than a year ago, 20 percent say they’re better off.More expect to be worse off (25 percent) financially next year than better off (23 percent).Top issue: The economy is voters’ top concern, driven by issues like jobs, housing costs, and higher gas and utility prices.Among voters citing economic problems, Democrats lead Republicans on who can handle it best: 45 to 25 percent.Pennsylvania politics: Shapiro’s standingJob approval: Gov. Josh Shapiro is rated excellent/good (50 percent) vs. fair/poor (44 percent), consistent with October 2025.Governor’s race: Shapiro leads Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, 48 to 28 percent in the 2026 race. National politics: Trump and the U.S. HouseTrump job approval: 39 percent rate President Trump excellent/good, while 61 percent rate him fair/poor.Generic U.S. House ballot: Democrats lead Republicans by 7 points, 44 to 37 percent. Issue ratings have been slipping since October 2025:Immigration handling: 47 → 42 percent excellent/very goodForeign policy handling: 42 → 37 percent excellent/very goodImmigration enforcementAttention level: 94 percent say they’re closely following immigration and deportation activity.Support for current ICE methods: 55 percent oppose, 45 percent support. Support is very high among Republicans, but much lower among independents and Democrats.Limits on ICE tactics (majorities oppose):Deadly force against protestors: 76 percent opposeEntering homes without a judicial warrant: 75 percent opposeWearing masks: 57 percent opposeUsing unmarked vehicles: 53 percent opposeWho should be targeted for deportation (voter views):Non-citizens who have been in the US for LESS than five years, with no criminal record: 54 percent yesNon-citizens who have been in the US for MORE than five years, with no criminal record: 48 percent yes, 49 percent noNon-citizens with families in the U.S.: 46 percent yes, 51 percent noMajorities oppose targeting those with asylum/protected status (76 percent), visa/green card (86 percent), in the naturalization process (89 percent), or already naturalized (89 percent). Democracy, separation of powers and electionsDemocracy satisfaction: 65 percent dissatisfied, 35 percent satisfied (with big partisan differences).Balance of power: Voters say Congress (64 percent) and courts (55 percent) have ceded too much authority to the presidency.Presidential limits: Most say Trump has overstepped (50 percent) or pushed (19 percent) the limits of the presidency.Trust in PA elections: 66 percent have a great deal/fair amount of trust in election processes.Election control: More than 70 percent oppose shifting election administration from state to federal control. Link: Franklin & Marshall College Poll March 2026
LANCASTER, Pa. —
Franklin & Marshall College released a new poll highlighting how Pennsylvania voters feel about key issues, including personal finances, ICE and Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Video above: Check out the latest weather forecast.
The poll sampled 353 democrats, 347 republicans and 134 independents from Feb. 18 through March 1.
Direction of the state and personal finances
State direction: More voters say Pennsylvania is on the wrong track (44 percent) than headed in the right direction (39 percent).
Personal finances:
36 percent say they’re worse off financially than a year ago, 20 percent say they’re better off.More expect to be worse off (25 percent) financially next year than better off (23 percent).
Top issue: The economy is voters’ top concern, driven by issues like jobs, housing costs, and higher gas and utility prices.
Among voters citing economic problems, Democrats lead Republicans on who can handle it best: 45 to 25 percent.Pennsylvania politics: Shapiro’s standing
Job approval: Gov. Josh Shapiro is rated excellent/good (50 percent) vs. fair/poor (44 percent), consistent with October 2025.
Governor’s race: Shapiro leads Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, 48 to 28 percent in the 2026 race.
National politics: Trump and the U.S. House
Trump job approval: 39 percent rate President Trump excellent/good, while 61 percent rate him fair/poor.
Generic U.S. House ballot: Democrats lead Republicans by 7 points, 44 to 37 percent.
Issue ratings have been slipping since October 2025:
Immigration handling: 47 → 42 percent excellent/very goodForeign policy handling: 42 → 37 percent excellent/very goodImmigration enforcement
Attention level: 94 percent say they’re closely following immigration and deportation activity.
Support for current ICE methods: 55 percent oppose, 45 percent support. Support is very high among Republicans, but much lower among independents and Democrats.
Limits on ICE tactics (majorities oppose):
Deadly force against protestors: 76 percent opposeEntering homes without a judicial warrant: 75 percent opposeWearing masks: 57 percent opposeUsing unmarked vehicles: 53 percent oppose
Who should be targeted for deportation (voter views):
Non-citizens who have been in the US for LESS than five years, with no criminal record: 54 percent yesNon-citizens who have been in the US for MORE than five years, with no criminal record: 48 percent yes, 49 percent noNon-citizens with families in the U.S.: 46 percent yes, 51 percent noMajorities oppose targeting those with asylum/protected status (76 percent), visa/green card (86 percent), in the naturalization process (89 percent), or already naturalized (89 percent). Democracy, separation of powers and elections
Democracy satisfaction: 65 percent dissatisfied, 35 percent satisfied (with big partisan differences).
Balance of power: Voters say Congress (64 percent) and courts (55 percent) have ceded too much authority to the presidency.
Presidential limits: Most say Trump has overstepped (50 percent) or pushed (19 percent) the limits of the presidency.
Trust in PA elections: 66 percent have a great deal/fair amount of trust in election processes.
Election control: More than 70 percent oppose shifting election administration from state to federal control.