by Bruce Walker School choice is overwhelmingly supported by likely Democratic primary voters nationwide, according to a recent poll conducted on behalf of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER). Education analysts interpret the poll results as a rebuke of current Democratic Party strategies nationwide in general and, specifically, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoing more than $36 million of increased charter school funding in the state. Daniel Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Alternatives (MAPSA), for example, told The Center Square that the poll indicates voters, parents and residents support charter schools because they offer alternatives to one-size-fits all public schools. “What we’ve seen in polls over the years is a growing strength of support for charter schools among minority Democrats,” Quisenberry said. Based on a sample of 1,721 likely voters in the 2020 election and an oversample of 1,227 likely Democratic voters, the Benenson Strategy Group conducted poll concluded that 81 percent of Democratic primary voters nationwide support expanding public school options. When broken down by race, 89 percent of African-American Democratic primary voters supported public school options, including charter schools. Additionally, the poll found 80 percent of voters, including 78 percent of Democratic primary voters and…
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