Marylanders are increasingly pessimistic about the state’s direction and economic outlook, and weigh in on Governor Wes Moore’s job approval rating, in the UMBC Poll released on Wednesday.
The poll found 48 percent of Maryland adults approve of the job Moore is doing as governor, while 42 percent disapprove and 9 percent said they don’t know. That compares with 52 percent approval and 44 percent disapproval in October 2025; 52 percent approval and 40 percent disapproval in February 2025; and 54 percent approval and 32 percent disapproval in October 2024.
As in previous UMBC polls, Moore’s approval remains sharply divided by party. Among Democratic voters, 69 percent approve and 20 percent disapprove. Among Republican voters, 25 percent approve and 73 percent disapprove. Among unaffiliated voters, 39 percent approve and 50 percent disapprove.
Respondents were also asked to describe, in their own words, their main reason for approving or disapproving of Moore’s job performance, with responses categorized by UMBC Institute of Politics student research assistants. The top reasons for approving were handling of the state economy, jobs, affordability, or crises (20 percent); leadership, character, integrity, or personal like (18 percent); cares about or works hard for Maryland residents (17 percent); and standing up to Trump or protecting Maryland from the federal government (16 percent).
The top reasons for disapproving were raised taxes and fees (27 percent); poor leadership, dishonesty, or personal dislike (24 percent); fiscal mismanagement, state budget deficit, or too much spending (14 percent); and cost of living increases, including utility bills (12 percent).
On the broader question of where the state is headed, 59 percent of Maryland adults said Maryland is on the wrong track, while 30 percent said it is heading in the right direction. In October 2025, 48 percent said wrong track and 40 percent said right direction. In February 2025, 49 percent said wrong track and 42 percent said right direction. In October 2024, 39 percent said wrong track and 46 percent said right direction.
Economic views were also negative. The poll found 76 percent of Marylanders rate the state’s economic conditions as “poor” or “fair,” while 22 percent describe them as “good” or “excellent.” In October 2025, 30 percent rated conditions “excellent” or “good,” compared with 69 percent “poor” or “fair.” In February 2025, it was 31 percent “excellent” or “good” and 67 percent “poor” or “fair.” In October 2024, it was 32 percent “excellent” or “good” and 66 percent “poor” or “fair.”
When asked to compare Maryland’s economy with the rest of the country, 45 percent said conditions in Maryland are about the same, 29 percent said they are worse, and 22 percent said they are better.
The poll also measured trust in government, neighbors and the two major political parties, reporting the share who said they trust each “just about always” or “most of the time.” Trust was highest for neighbors at 53 percent. Trust in the Democratic Party was 30 percent, local government 29 percent, state government 27 percent, the Republican Party 20 percent and the federal government 15 percent.
“Attitudes toward the direction of the state and economic conditions have noticeably worsened since the fall, and residents express low levels of trust in all levels of government and both major political parties,” said Mileah Kromer, director of the UMBC Institute of Politics. “These are exactly the kinds of conditions that erode gubernatorial approval ratings, and our polling reflects that reality. The gap between those who approve and disapprove of Gov. Moore’s job performance has narrowed over time, though he remains above water”
The UMBC Poll surveyed 804 Maryland adults from Tuesday, March 17, to Sunday, March 22, 2026. Of those surveyed, 731 indicated they were registered voters. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all adults and plus or minus 3.6 points for registered voters.
The UMBC Institute of Politics said it will release Part 3 of the survey on Thursday, April 2, at 12:01 a.m.
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