New Poll: Majority of New York voters oppose opting into taxpayer-funded private school voucher program

Voters also say public dollars belong in public schools, not private school subsidies - by nearly 8 to 1

A majority of registered voters in New York oppose Gov. Kathy Hochul opting New York into President Trump's taxpayer-funded private school voucher scheme, according to new statewide polling conducted June 10-21, 2026.

The survey of 800 registered likely 2026 voters found that after learning the details of the new taxpayer-funded voucher program - which redirects tax dollars to organizations that funnel money primarily to private and religious school tuition - 57 percent of New York voters oppose the governor's decision to opt in. Just 34 percent support it.

The findings underscore a stark disconnect between the governor's stated intent to opt in and the views of the New York voters she represents.

"New Yorkers know the value of their public schools, and they know a bad deal when they see one," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "This poll confirms what we're hearing across the state: voters don't want their tax dollars drained from neighborhood schools to subsidize tuition for families already enrolled in private schools. We are listening to New Yorkers and we hope Gov. Hochul will too."

"New Yorkers are clear: they don't support Trump's signature education policy," said United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew. "They don't want their tax dollars paying for private and parochial school vouchers. We hope Gov. Hochul listens and decides public dollars should go to public schools."

Key findings include:

• 57 percent of New York voters oppose Gov. Hochul opting New York into Trump's taxpayer-funded private school voucher program, with 38 percent saying they strongly oppose it. Just 34 percent were in support.
• 61 percent of voters say taxpayer dollars are better spent improving public schools - compared to just 8 percent who prefer school vouchers. That is a nearly 8-to-1 margin in favor of public schools.
• A majority of voters - 55 percent - agree that public dollars should not be used to fund someone else's private school decisions.
• 46 percent of voters believe opting in will raise their property taxes - compared to just 9 percent who think it will lower them.
• 52 percent of voters are concerned the program will weaken public schools in New York.

The polling was conducted by Lake Research Partners, a nationally recognized public opinion research firm.

New York's public schools serve 90 percent of the state's children. The federal voucher program - part of the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law by Trump - takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, but only in states where the governor affirmatively opts in. Several Democratic governors have already declined to participate.

Learn more at https://publicschoolsuniteus.org/our-initiatives/voucher-program