We dig into our second round of Marist Polls in Maine and New York, with Election Day just days away. Maine’s top races are close among likely voters, while Gov. Kathy Hochul leads in New York. Plus, should a paycheck measure the value of a college degree? A new Education Department rule ties federal student loans to graduates’ earnings. We look at whether Americans think college programs should be held accountable for what their graduates earn and how they weigh the cost and benefits of higher education. And, the scariest question of the season: in 1998, which costume did voters think would send the neighbors running: a politician or a journalist?
Our final round of polls before Election Day is out, and we're looking into our data on Maine and New York. In Maine, the contest for U.S. Senate between Democrat Troy Jackson and Republican incumbent Susan Collins is competitive among likely voters. In the race for governor, Democrat Hannah Pingree and Republican Bobby Charles are tied, with independent Rick Bennett in single digits. Regardless of whom they support, most likely voters think Collins and Pingree will win. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul leads Republican Bruce Blakeman among likely voters. In both states, negative views of President Donald Trump and concerns about personal finances shape the landscape.
Plus, should a paycheck measure the value of a college degree? Under the Education Department’s new Earnings Accountability Framework, programs whose graduates repeatedly fall below specified earnings thresholds can lose access to federal student loans. We look at whether Americans think college programs should be held accountable for what their graduates earn and how they weigh the cost and benefits of higher education. Americans broadly support holding colleges accountable for students’ economic outcomes, but they also value personal interests and career goals beyond earning potential. So, who should define what a worthwhile education looks like?
And the scariest question of the season: just days before the 1998 midterms, which Halloween costume did voters think would send the neighbors running: a politician or a journalist?