Americans continue to give Trump good ratings on the border, more information increases support for data centers
A new Rainey Center survey of 1,021 registered voters finds deep economic anxiety, broad appetite for student loan reform, and strong concern about Chinese access to American data.
Methodology: Rainey Center conducted the survey via online panel from March 23–26, 2026. Results were weighted by 2024 vote, gender, age, race, and education. Margin of error: ±3.2 points.
The border is a relative bright spot for the Trump administration: 53% say it's more secure now than under Biden, vs. 21% who say it was more secure before.
Student loans are a powder keg. Voters are united in frustration with higher education costs and ready for big changes.
By the numbers:
- 56% say a four-year degree is no longer worth the cost.
- 50% say the federal student loan system needs significant reform. Only 7% say it's working well.
- 61% want colleges held accountable when graduates with federal loans can't repay them.
- 50% support limiting federal loans to high-placement fields like STEM and healthcare.
- 63% support a new Student Loan Repayment Insurance product — the most popular proposal tested.
- 48% support a broader Trump-led overhaul of the student loan system, vs. 27% opposed.
Government shutdowns are deeply unpopular, and voters want structural fixes.
- 58% call recurring shutdowns unacceptable.
- 59% support automatic continuing resolutions at current funding levels.
- 59% back moving to a biennial budget cycle.
- 52% say Democrats shouldn't use shutdowns as a policy lever, vs. 32% who say they're right to.
What they want protected most (% saying "absolutely essential, should never shut down"): Defense (62%), Homeland Security (58%), Justice (54%), CDC (53%).
Taxes: 82% say taxes take too much of their paycheck. Only 10% feel they get good value from government — 47% say they don't.
Data centers are a harder sell than you'd think — but the right message helps.
Why it matters: The U.S. needs massive data center buildout to compete in AI, but local resistance over electricity costs and resource use is real.
By the numbers:
- 75% are at least somewhat aware of data center construction nationwide.
- 45% believe data centers are driving up their local electricity costs.
- But Trump's "ratepayer protection pledge" — requiring tech companies to build their own power — draws 65% support, and learning about it moved 38% toward greater support of data centers.
- Messaging on community benefits (grid upgrades, investment funds, jobs) moved 37% more supportive. Framing around local electrical grid improvements moved 45%.
- Water recycling information moved 29% more supportive.
China and data security is a unifying issue.
- 72% are concerned that data from American devices is being used by China to develop AI.
- 63% worry about Chinese-made software in U.S. security cameras.
- 68% support state legislation banning storage of Americans' personal data in Chinese data centers.