A statewide poll released by New York State United Teachers says a majority of New York voters oppose the state opting into a taxpayer-funded private school voucher program.
The union said the survey of 800 registered likely 2026 voters was conducted June 10 through 21 by Lake Research Partners and found 57 percent opposed the state opting into the program after learning details about it, while 34 percent supported the move.
NYSUT framed the poll as a response to Governor Kathy Hochul's stated intent to opt New York into the federal program. The union said the program would redirect tax dollars to organizations that provide money primarily for private and religious school tuition.
The poll found 38 percent of voters strongly opposed opting in, according to NYSUT. The union also said 61 percent of respondents said taxpayer dollars are better spent improving public schools, compared with 8 percent who preferred school vouchers.
NYSUT said 55 percent of voters agreed that public dollars should not be used to fund someone else's private school decisions. The poll also found 46 percent of voters believed opting in would raise their property taxes, while 9 percent believed it would lower them, according to the union.
The release said 52 percent of voters were concerned the program would weaken public schools in New York.
NYSUT President Melinda Person said the poll reflects opposition the union says it is hearing across the state.
"New Yorkers know the value of their public schools, and they know a bad deal when they see one," Person said in the announcement. "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."
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew also criticized the proposal, saying public dollars should go to public schools.
NYSUT said New York public schools serve 90 percent of the state's children. The union said the federal voucher program takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, but only in states where the governor opts in.
New York State United Teachers represents more than 700,000 members in education, human services and health care.
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