LANSING — A new statewide poll shows that Michiganders are pessimistic about the U.S. and state’s prospects for economic recovery in the near future according to a poll released Friday. 

A total of 54% say the state is on the wrong track with 31% saying it’s on the right track. Also, 65% say Michigan’s economy is either declining or bottomed out and not improving according to an EPIC/MRA poll of 600 likely voters. 

Three in four also said the U.S. is on the wrong track which is up from a total of 62% last month. Republicans are most optimistic about the state at 47% who think it’s moving in the right direction, while Democrats and African Americans are most optimistic among a down group of respondents in general about the prospects of the U.S. at 27% and 43% choosing the right direction option, respectively.