New Clark County Poll: Pocketbook Issues and Taxes Top Voter Concerns; Local Governments have higher Disapproval than Approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11, 2026

Contact:

Leslie Lewallen, Director

leslie@pfortytwo.com – 360-409-0404

Clark County, WA — A recent poll of Clark County voters by Future 42 Clark County finds that taxes and government spending, along with everyday cost-of-living pressures, rank as the most urgent issues facing the community.

A survey of 400 likely November 2026 General Election voters in Clark County finds taxes, government spending, and the cost of living at the top of the agenda. Text interviews were conducted August 1–3, 2026 by Peak Insights, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

One-quarter of all voters (25%) identify “taxes & government spending” as the top concern facing people in Clark County today — including half of Republicans. Among Democrats and Independents, the leading pocketbook issues are housing costs (including rent) at 19% overall and the economy/jobs at 15%.

Housing costs, including rent, follow at 19 percent and the economy and jobs at 15 percent. Seventy-four percent say rising costs are more of a concern than a year ago. Groceries (77 percent) and gas or transportation (75 percent) lead the list of items that have become less affordable, followed by insurance (52 percent) and property taxes (48 percent).

When asked about the most important priority for managing growth in Clark County, voters pointed strongly towards economic development. Four of the five top answers centered on building a stronger local economy: increasing the housing supply across all price points (16%), expanding transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and transit (15%), local job creation (13%), and promoting economic development (12%).

A unique element to this survey is how voters view their local governments:

• The Clark County Council has a 32 percent job approval rating, while 44 percent disapprove.
• On average, local city governments receive 40 percent approval and 45 percent disapproval.
• Among Vancouver voters, 35 percent view Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle favorably and 44 percent unfavorably.
• The Vancouver City Council has a 35 percent favorable rating and a 47 percent unfavorable rating.
• Only 29 percent say Clark County is headed in the right direction, while 47 percent say it is on the wrong track.
• Local and county governments are more trusted than state and federal governments, but none is highly trusted.

A majority of Clark County residents want the 1 percent property-tax lid respected unless voters themselves approve more (58 percent), and public safety is the top choice if the County had discretionary tax revenue (28 percent). Crime, housing, and roads top what voters want government to address.

“These results confirm what families and business owners across Clark County tell us every day,” said Leslie Lewallen, Director of Clark County Future 42. “Voters are focused on the kitchen-table issues — taxes, the cost of living, housing, public safety and jobs. They want local leaders who share their values and prioritize practical economic development over costly, divisive projects. Future 42 will continue working to ensure candidates and elected officials are held accountable to those priorities.”

About Future 42 Clark County

Future 42 Clark County exists to turn voter frustration into constructive action. As the local chapter of Future 42, we work to build an engaged community of Clark County who support common-sense policies that lower the cost of living, strengthen public safety, reduce the tax burden, and create an environment where families and businesses can thrive. Through scorecards, issue advocacy, and civic engagement, we give citizens the tools to make their voices heard and hold local leaders accountable. Learn more at https://future42.org/clarkco