Baltimore Sun Reader Polls

READER POLL: Who should fund disaster recovery after extreme weather events like Western Maryland floods?

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 17:03:26 +0000

After devastating May floods in Western Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore requested federal disaster aid, citing over $15 million in damage. President Donald Trump denied the request, arguing that states should take more responsibility for disaster recovery.

The decision has sparked debate over who should pay for disaster relief — the federal government, states, or both. What do you think?

Can’t see the poll? Click here

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: Who has the best team in the NFL?

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:24:27 +0000

It’s football season.

Training camps are set to begin this week across the NFL, including in Owings Mills where the Ravens will start their quest for their first Super Bowl title since 2013.

The Ravens lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round last season but enter 2025 with perhaps one of the league’s best rosters. DraftKings and FanDuel, two of the legal sportsbooks available to Maryland bettors, list Baltimore as the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Entering camp, who has the best team in the NFL? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun.

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: Do you support expanding nuclear energy to meet rising power demand?

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 19:01:13 +0000

Increased power demand from new data centers and other users in the mid-Atlantic, combined with a constrained transmission grid, has driven up consumer energy prices.

Now, advocates increasingly see nuclear energy as a key, cost-effective climate solution to add power to the grid. Leading the push in Maryland is Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, who is backing policies to support new technologies touted as safer, more efficient, and more versatile than traditional reactors.

While some share concerns about nuclear power, with a history of accidents like the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979, advocates say the technology is much safer now.

What do you think of this expanding nuclear energy?

Can’t see the poll? Vote here

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: Do you believe Orioles GM Mike Elias is doing a good job?

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:03:41 +0000

The Orioles are not where they want to be.

At 43-52 entering the MLB All-Star break, they are among baseball’s most disappointing teams. But they replenished their farm system on Sunday with four first-round picks in the MLB draft, and they are expected to be sellers and retool for the 2026 season with the trade deadline looming.

Do you still believe executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is doing a good job? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun.

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: Do you believe the full list of individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein should be made public?

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 12:35:27 +0000

The Justice Department and FBI are struggling to contain the fallout from the decision to withhold records from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which rankled influential far-right media personalities and supporters of President Donald Trump.

What do you think?

Can’t see this poll, vote here.

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READERS RESPOND: Fans largely prefer Orioles’ manager job over Nationals’

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:52:51 +0000

We asked readers whether the Orioles’ or the Nationals’ managerial opening is more attractive. Both teams are looking for a full-time skipper after disappointing starts to the season led to the dismissals of Brandon Hyde and Dave Martinez, respectively.

Here are the results from our online poll:

Orioles — 86.93% (346 votes)
Nationals — 13.07% (52 votes)

Here’s what some fans told us about the two jobs (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar):

The Baltimore Orioles are the better job of the two. Camden Yards is a crown jewel amongst MLB stadiums. The Orioles’ fan base and tradition is more stable. Washington is a transient city, in comparison with Baltimore being a more stable fan base with the ability to draw from the Washington’s fan base when they are winning. The big “if” is “if winning” … Camden Yards looks like Oakland … abandoned when the O’s aren’t winning. — Kenny Anderson

The O’s job would seem to be a better opportunity. The current roster is stronger, and while depleted somewhat, the O’s farm system is still deeper than the Nats’. Additionally, Baltimore has an owner who seems committed to building a winner, rather than one who, after winning a World Series title in 2019, immediately began dismantling the team for financial reasons. Since 2019, the Nats have been one of the worst teams in baseball. — John Devine

Orioles, because the fan base is not fair-weather like the Nats’ is. — Mike Smith

The O’s job would be preferable to the Nats’ position. The roster is stronger, the farm system remains solid, ownership (though new) presents a more stable/competent environment, and the front office (though currently receiving criticism from an impatient fan base and some in the media) has a proven track record. — Laurence Berbert

My choice is made with little difference between the two teams! I gave the edge to the Orioles simply because they are further along in the rebuild process. Both teams have great talent and young stars, but players like Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg are established with Colton Cowser and Adley Rutschman likely as well. Then there is Jackson Holliday as the up-and-coming star of the future, not to mention a strong supporting cast and farm system. The Nationals also have young stars in James Wood and MacKenzie Gore and Dylan Crews with more talent coming with a strong farm system! The supporting cast is not as strong in my opinion, and neither team has strong pitching. Perhaps the edge here is who is coming off of the injured list for potentially a second-half run for the O’s? The biggest question for both teams is, are the owners going to spend money? I would say the jury is still out for both teams. — Kerry Crouch

The Lerners won’t spend money so you’re at a disadvantage in D.C. Unless that changes, Baltimore is better. — Andrew Wiseman

The Nationals, and it’s not even close. No one can work with the disaster general manager Mike Elias has created! Plus, the Orioles’ nucleus is about to be ripped apart. Elias waited too long to sign any of the homegrown talent. Now they can’t afford them! — Erich Wagner

Being a fan of both teams, I’d have to say the Orioles. They have more pieces in place at the moment. New ownership has shown a willingness to spend, even though Elias didn’t spend wisely. Things could change, though. If Mark Lerner opens his wallet like his father did, the Nationals could go get free agents. The Nats also have pitching in the pipeline. Either opening should be attractive to a quality manager. — Kenneth Turnbaugh

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll

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READER POLL: The Orioles and Nationals need a manager. Which job is better?

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 11:30:29 +0000

The Orioles and Nationals are in the market for full-time managers.

Washington fired its manager, Dave Martinez (and longtime general manager Mike Rizzo), on Sunday, shaking up a franchise that has been in a rut since winning the 2019 World Series.

Baltimore fired Brandon Hyde in May, parting ways with a manager who had overseen a top-to-bottom rebuild but one who couldn’t right the ship dating to midway through the 2024 season. Tony Mansolino has been the interim manager since.

Which job is more attractive? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun.

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: President Trump’s $3.3T ‘big, beautiful’ bill locks in tax cuts and makes cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Do you support it?

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 20:58:10 +0000

At nearly 900 pages, President Donald Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill” is a sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts, and other Republican priorities, including new money for national defense and deportations.

All of Maryland’s Democratic House members opposed it. Rep. Kweisi Mfume of Baltimore said the bill’s effects “will slowly start to be seen this time next year, with people being ripped off of Medicaid and Medicare and nursing homes not being able to take care of patients, particularly the elderly.”

The Senate passed the bill, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote. The House passed an earlier iteration of the bill in May with just one vote to spare. It passed the final version 218-214. Trump signed the bill on July 4.

What do you think of the bill?

Don’t see the poll? Vote here.

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: Will the Ravens or Steelers have a better defense in 2025?

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:38:27 +0000

The Ravens and Steelers have long been known for their defenses. That likely won’t change in 2025.

While Baltimore has five first-round draft picks in its secondary, including cornerback Nate Wiggins (2024) and safeties Malaki Starks (2025) and Kyle Hamilton (2022), Pittsburgh shook up its unit on Monday by dealing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins as part of a trade for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

The Ravens also have All-Pro Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones on their defensive line, and Roquan Smith, Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh in their linebacker corps. The Steelers are loaded, too, with linebackers T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen and Alex Highsmith, as well as defensive backs Joey Porter and Darius Slay Jr.

Which AFC North rival will have the better defense in 2025? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun.

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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READER POLL: Maryland plans rebates of about $80 for BGE customers. Will that help your budget?

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:15:43 +0000

Baltimore Gas and Electric customers could receive an $80 rebate on their electric bills later this summer, the Maryland Public Service Commission announced Friday. Will this help your budget?

Can’t see the poll? Vote here

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll.

To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.

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