NEW POLL: 84% of New Yorkers Support RAISE Act; Hochul’s Approval Surges
As artificial intelligence races ahead, New York voters are calling for leaders to make sure these powerful new technologies serve the public good—while maintaining public safety. A new survey conducted by my firm, Beacon Research, finds that 84% of New Yorkers support the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, with just 8% opposed. That’s not just a mandate for action—it’s a political opportunity.
The RAISE Act is designed to keep New Yorkers safe by requiring companies developing the most advanced AI systems to test for catastrophic risks—like disruptions to our power grid or automated criminal activity—before releasing their products. If those tests identify serious threats, companies would need to implement reasonable safeguards or be held accountable by the Attorney General.
This isn’t a niche issue. Support for the RAISE Act is broad and deep: 87% of Democrats, 82% of Republicans, and 71% of unaffiliated voters are on board. Black voters support the bill at 97%, white voters at 90%, and Hispanic voters at 79%. There is almost no difference by geography: support is sky-high in New York City (87%), the suburbs (82%), and upstate (83%).
Why does this matter to legislators? Because voters don’t just want AI safeguards—they say they’ll reward the politicians who back them. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports the RAISE Act, compared to just 4% who say they’d be less likely. AI safety cuts through polarized politics: it offers elected officials a chance to lead on an issue that unites voters across race, region, and party.
The message is clear: New Yorkers want action to make families safer in the face of rapidly advancing technology. Sixty percent of voters believe the RAISE Act will make families safer—just 9% think it won’t.
We also asked about Governor Kathy Hochul—and the news for her is good. Her job approval has jumped to 54%-41%, driven by consolidation among Democrats, where she now enjoys 70% approval. Her ability to reclaim political ground stems in part from a clear governing agenda that focuses on safety, stability, and economic fairness—and the RAISE Act represents another popular, broadly supported measure that she and the Legislature can help deliver for New Yorkers.
In short, this is a rare moment in contemporary politics. Legislators have a chance to advance meaningful protections that voters overwhelmingly support—and they’ll be rewarded for it. The RAISE Act is the kind of commonsense policy that pays political dividends.
Matthew Shelter is a veteran pollster with over 30 years of experience, including long-standing work with the New York State Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee, where his research has helped elect and re-elect Democratic majorities across the state. As head of Beacon Research, Shelter has also partnered with major labor unions such as SEIU and AFSCME, providing strategic insights that have shaped winning campaigns and issue advocacy efforts throughout New York.
Beacon Research conducted 1,002 online interviews from May 15-20, 2025. All respondents were registered voters in New York. The survey has a credibility interval of ± 3.5% at the 95% confidence level.
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