Marylanders Trust Local Government Most on Spending

A UMBC Poll finds 57% of Maryland voters trust city, town or county government most on local services and tax spending.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in City Hall

Marylanders Trust Local Government Most on Spending

Live Poll

Do you trust your local government more than state or federal government with tax dollars?

A UMBC Poll conducted with the Maryland Municipal League surveyed 710 Maryland voters from November 5 to November 9, 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7%. Results were released November 12, 2026.

Why it matters

The findings show voters place far more trust in local government than in state or federal government on how services and taxes are handled. Majorities also report feeling overtaxed at every level, which shapes how Maryland officials weigh budget decisions.

The UMBC Poll surveyed 710 Maryland voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7%, with 57% trusting local government most on services and spending compared with 18% for state government. The poll does not report the reasons behind those differences.

The players

UMBC Poll

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County's polling project conducts public opinion surveys on state and regional issues.

Maryland Municipal League

The Maryland Municipal League is the statewide association representing the state's incorporated cities and towns.

The details

The UMBC Poll, conducted in partnership with the Maryland Municipal League, asked voters when and where they regularly get state and local government news. Seventy-two percent cited social media as a regular source, and 77% rated their community as excellent or good.

November 5, 2026 to November 9, 2026: UMBC Poll surveys 710 Maryland voters.
November 12, 2026: Poll findings are released publicly.

Political Context

The UMBC Poll's findings add to a recurring Maryland survey record on how voters rate their state and local governments. The Maryland Municipal League's partnership frames the results around municipal governance rather than statewide politics.

Voters who feel overtaxed at multiple levels may weigh local budget votes more closely. The poll's results on social media as a news source suggest local government updates may reach residents more through online channels.

The takeaway

Local government earned the strongest trust among Maryland voters in this poll, a signal that how city, town and county officials handle spending directly shapes public confidence.