“Ours is one of the first honest-to-goodness public opinion surveys I’ve ever seen asking people about data centers in a way that’s not clearly meant to lead toward a preferred answer for an interest group, pro or con, and I think that’s kind of a big deal. I’m kind of proud of that.”
That assessment from Emporia State University political science professor Michael Smith frames the findings of the newly released Kansas Speaks survey. Conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, the annual poll reveals steady approval for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly alongside sharp declines for prominent Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and President Donald Trump, KWCH reported.
The weighted online survey captured responses from 603 Kansas adults answering 57 questions between September 23 and October 16, as detailed by the Kansas Reflector. The results point to an electorate deeply wary of national politics and emerging technological infrastructure, yet remarkably consistent in its view of the state’s outgoing chief executive.
Steady Standing for Governor Kelly Amid Broad Political Apathy
Gov. Laura Kelly remains a political outlier. As she prepares to leave office in January, nearly 47% of state residents express satisfaction with her job performance. Kansas Reflector noted that 46.9% of respondents back her tenure, keeping her support steady even after Sen. Ethan Corson—the candidate she endorsed for the Democratic nomination for governor—lost his primary.
That durability stands in stark contrast to the shifting fortunes of federal figures. Sen. Roger Marshall saw his approval rating slide from 34% in 2024 down to 26% in the current survey. President Donald Trump experienced a parallel drop, with his approval falling from 43% last year to 33%.
Alex Middlewood, who chairs the political science department at Wichita State University and contributes to the survey’s design, pointed to a broader erosion of civic trust. Beyond Marshall and Trump, the survey highlights deep distrust directed at both major political parties and Congress.
“It is certainly not a good result for a democracy,” Middlewood said. “As a political scientist, of course, I would hope that that spurs people to actually participate in this election. But there is so much voter apathy, and when you have high levels of corruption, or perceptions of corruption, like that, and you have high levels of dissatisfaction, what often happens is that people just don’t participate because they don’t think that their voice matters.”
Public Skepticism Deepens Around Data Centers and AI
When the survey turned to modern infrastructure, it uncovered widespread apprehension regarding data centers. Only a little more than a third of respondents reported awareness of a proposal to site a data center in their local community. When asked about potential impacts, clear majorities pointed to resource consumption and technological reach as primary anxieties.
The top concerns center on the sheer volume of energy and water these facilities consume, alongside the artificial intelligence systems they enable. More than 40% of surveyed residents expressed worry over data centers acting as potential targets for terrorists or foreign governments. Similar levels of apprehension greeted the heat generated by the facilities, local land use changes, and persistent industrial noise. About 40% anticipate a negative local economic impact, compared to roughly 30.5% who expect a positive boost.
Voter Views on Family Leave, Marijuana, and Immigration
On specific policy questions, the survey captured majorities aligning with proposals that have historically faced friction in the Kansas Legislature. Sixty-nine percent of respondents voiced support for paid family and medical leave. Simultaneously, 65% expressed backing for the legalization of medical marijuana.
Immigration questions revealed a more divided electorate. Roughly 35% of participants agreed with the statement that undocumented immigrants contribute more to society than they take, while 45% disagreed with that premise.
Researchers emphasized that these attitudes feed directly into civic participation rates. As Middlewood noted, disengagement and distrust form a self-reinforcing cycle where citizens stop voting because they see no change, while lacking a voice ensures their interests remain unrepresented.
