Marquette Law School Supreme Court Poll May 20 - 26, 2026

(Percentages are rounded to whole numbers for reporting of results. Frequencies have been rounded to whole numbers but percentages are calculated based on non-integer weighted sample sizes.)

Results for survey items among all respondents are presented here (unless otherwise indicated). Please note that some questions are only asked of particular groups of respondents. In these instances, the row NAs includes the number and percent of total respondents omitted from the question. These omitted cases are ignored when calculating the Valid and Cumulative percent columns.

Age (if refused)

Are you…
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
18-24 3 0% 14% 14%
25-29 1 0% 5% 20%
30-44 6 1% 30% 49%
45-49 3 0% 13% 62%
50-64 4 0% 19% 81%
65+ 4 0% 19% 100%
(Missing) 979 98% NA NA
Marquette University Law School Poll
Are you…
National adult samples
18-24 25-29 30-44 45-49 50-64 65+ 7 n
5/20-26/26 14% 5% 30% 13% 19% 19% 0% 22
4/8-16/26 39% 0% 4% 0% 18% 38% 0% 12
1/21-28/26 22% 4% 31% 8% 23% 13% 0% 21
11/5-12/25 19% 12% 7% 0% 34% 27% 0% 15
9/15-24/25 20% 0% 25% 14% 8% 34% 0% 12
7/7-16/25 28% 11% 17% 2% 29% 12% 0% 28
5/5-15/25 0% 4% 31% 12% 24% 30% 0% 19
3/17-27/25 14% 15% 37% 0% 19% 16% 0% 17
1/27-2/6/25 21% 0% 25% 8% 26% 19% 0% 25
12/2-11/24 27% 26% 18% 0% 11% 19% 0% 23
10/1-10/24 8% 5% 22% 0% 28% 37% 0% 18
7/24-8/1/24 30% 0% 0% 0% 33% 37% 0% 10
5/6-15/24 0% 4% 0% 0% 96% 0% 0% 9
3/18-28/24 0% 0% 14% 28% 53% 5% 0% 9
2/5-15/24 15% 21% 24% 1% 6% 34% 0% 19
11/2-7/23 36% 8% 24% 0% 12% 20% 0% 11
9/18-25/23 0% 12% 21% 0% 47% 21% 0% 23
7/7-12/23 14% 0% 27% 0% 42% 16% 0% 26
5/8-18/23 10% 23% 14% 16% 10% 28% 0% 26
3/13-22/23 49% 0% 15% 0% 26% 10% 0% 16
1/9-20/23 17% 26% 15% 4% 18% 20% 0% 21
11/15-22/22 0% 0% 14% 0% 40% 46% 0% 4
9/7-14/22 7% 3% 47% 0% 15% 29% 0% 17
7/5-12/22 27% 0% 29% 0% 27% 17% 0% 31
5/9-19/22 28% 0% 42% 0% 23% 8% 0% 16
3/14-24/22 13% 8% 16% 31% 9% 23% 0% 23
1/10-21/22 22% 0% 25% 17% 6% 30% 0% 29
11/1-10/21 4% 4% 42% 2% 13% 35% 0% 27
9/7-16/21 0% 20% 13% 10% 17% 30% 10% 35
7/16-26/21 35% 4% 9% 8% 25% 18% 0% 40
Marquette University Law School Poll

Follow politics

Some people seem to follow what’s going on in politics most of the time, whether there’s an election going on or not. Others aren’t that interested. How often do you follow what’s going on in politics…?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Most of the time 440 44% 44% 44%
Some of the time 375 37% 37% 81%
Only now and then 129 13% 13% 94%
Hardly at all 57 6% 6% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
Some people seem to follow what’s going on in politics most of the time, whether there’s an election going on or not. Others aren’t that interested. How often do you follow what’s going on in politics…?
National adult samples
Most of the time Some of the time Only now and then Hardly at all n
5/20-26/26 44% 37% 13% 6% 1,001
4/8-16/26 45% 39% 11% 4% 964
1/21-28/26 46% 37% 12% 5% 1,003
11/5-12/25 48% 35% 10% 6% 1,052
9/15-24/25 41% 39% 15% 4% 1,043
7/7-16/25 45% 38% 11% 6% 1,005
5/5-15/25 43% 38% 13% 6% 1,004
3/17-27/25 45% 39% 11% 5% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 44% 40% 12% 5% 1,018
12/2-11/24 46% 39% 11% 4% 1,062
10/1-10/24 41% 41% 14% 4% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 44% 39% 13% 5% 1,005
5/6-15/24 37% 38% 18% 8% 1,033
3/18-28/24 38% 35% 18% 8% 1,000
2/5-15/24 37% 38% 15% 9% 1,003
11/2-7/23 37% 38% 15% 10% 1,010
9/18-25/23 37% 40% 14% 8% 1,007
7/7-12/23 34% 41% 16% 9% 1,005
5/8-18/23 36% 35% 19% 10% 1,010
3/13-22/23 38% 39% 16% 7% 1,004
1/9-20/23 39% 36% 17% 8% 1,000
11/15-22/22 37% 38% 17% 8% 1,004
9/7-14/22 45% 35% 13% 7% 1,448
7/5-12/22 40% 38% 15% 7% 1,003
5/9-19/22 38% 41% 14% 7% 1,004
3/14-24/22 43% 36% 15% 6% 1,004
1/10-21/22 35% 40% 17% 7% 1,000
11/1-10/21 39% 37% 18% 6% 1,004
9/7-16/21 41% 37% 14% 7% 1,411
7/16-26/21 38% 37% 17% 7% 1,010
9/8-15/20 46% 36% 13% 5% 1,523
9/3-13/19 43% 35% 15% 6% 1,423
Marquette University Law School Poll

Registered to vote

Are you registered to vote at your present address, or not?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Yes 779 78% 78% 78%
No 221 22% 22% 100%
Skipped/Ref 1 0% 0% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
Are you registered to vote at your present address, or not?
National adult samples
Yes No n
5/20-26/26 78% 22% 1,001
4/8-16/26 81% 19% 964
1/21-28/26 78% 22% 1,003
11/5-12/25 78% 22% 1,052
9/15-24/25 78% 22% 1,043
7/7-16/25 78% 22% 1,005
5/5-15/25 76% 24% 1,004
3/17-27/25 76% 24% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 76% 24% 1,018
12/2-11/24 76% 24% 1,063
10/1-10/24 78% 22% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 76% 24% 1,005
5/6-15/24 79% 21% 1,033
3/18-28/24 78% 22% 1,000
2/5-15/24 78% 22% 1,003
11/2-7/23 78% 22% 1,010
9/18-25/23 78% 22% 1,007
7/16-26/21 84% 16% 1,010
Marquette University Law School Poll

Chances will vote

What are the chances that you will vote in the November 2026 general election for congressional and state offices-- are you absolutely certain to vote, very likely to vote, are the chances 50-50, or don't you think you will vote?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Absolutely certain to vote 548 55% 55% 55%
Very likely to vote 191 19% 19% 74%
Chances are 50-50 131 13% 13% 87%
Don't think will vote 93 9% 9% 96%
Not eligible to vote 38 4% 4% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
What are the chances that you will vote in the November 2026 general election for congressional and state offices-- are you absolutely certain to vote, very likely to vote, are the chances 50-50, or don't you think you will vote?
National adult samples
Absolutely certain to vote Very likely to vote Chances are 50-50 Don't think will vote Not eligible to vote n
5/20-26/26 55% 19% 13% 9% 4% 1,001
4/8-16/26 56% 18% 15% 10% 1% 964
1/21-28/26 54% 18% 14% 11% 3% 1,003
11/5-12/25 55% 17% 14% 11% 3% 1,052
Marquette University Law School Poll

Generic ballot

If the election for Congress were held today, would you vote for the (Democratic) candidate in your district or the (Republican) candidate in your district?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Democratic candidate 448 45% 45% 45%
Republican candidate 410 41% 41% 86%
Neither 94 9% 9% 95%
Would not vote 49 5% 5% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
If the election for Congress were held today, would you vote for the (Democratic) candidate in your district or the (Republican) candidate in your district?
National adult samples
Democratic candidate Republican candidate Neither Would not vote Web blank n
5/20-26/26 45% 41% 9% 5% 0% 1,001
4/8-16/26 44% 41% 10% 5% 0% 964
1/21-28/26 45% 39% 10% 7% 0% 1,003
11/5-12/25 46% 41% 9% 4% 0% 1,052
Marquette University Law School Poll

Voting enthusiasm

How enthusiastic are you about voting in the elections this November for congressional and state offices?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very enthusiastic 304 30% 30% 30%
Somewhat enthusiastic 316 32% 32% 62%
Not too enthusiastic 237 24% 24% 86%
Not at all enthusiastic 144 14% 14% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
How enthusiastic are you about voting in the elections this November for congressional and state offices?
National adult samples
Very enthusiastic Somewhat enthusiastic Not too enthusiastic Not at all enthusiastic n
5/20-26/26 30% 32% 24% 14% 1,001
4/8-16/26 33% 30% 26% 11% 964
9/7-14/22 39% 32% 20% 8% 1,448
7/5-12/22 37% 26% 26% 11% 1,003
5/9-19/22 37% 31% 22% 10% 1,004
Marquette University Law School Poll

Supreme Court approval (4-pt)

Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly approve 93 9% 9% 9%
Somewhat approve 370 37% 37% 46%
Somewhat disapprove 307 31% 31% 77%
Strongly disapprove 230 23% 23% 100%
Skipped/Ref 1 0% 0% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job?
National adult samples
Strongly approve Somewhat approve Somewhat disapprove Strongly disapprove n
5/20-26/26 9% 37% 31% 23% 1,001
4/8-16/26 6% 36% 34% 23% 964
1/21-28/26 9% 35% 31% 25% 1,003
11/5-12/25 10% 35% 29% 27% 1,052
9/15-24/25 8% 42% 29% 21% 1,043
7/7-16/25 9% 40% 25% 26% 1,005
5/5-15/25 9% 44% 31% 16% 1,004
3/17-27/25 9% 45% 31% 15% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 11% 40% 30% 19% 1,018
12/2-11/24 11% 38% 31% 21% 1,063
10/1-10/24 11% 34% 30% 26% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 11% 32% 26% 31% 1,005
5/6-15/24 7% 32% 35% 26% 1,033
3/18-28/24 8% 39% 32% 21% 1,000
2/5-15/24 7% 33% 37% 24% 1,003
11/2-7/23 9% 33% 35% 23% 1,010
9/18-25/23 9% 34% 32% 25% 1,007
7/7-12/23 13% 31% 30% 25% 1,005
5/8-18/23 7% 34% 35% 24% 1,010
3/13-22/23 6% 38% 33% 23% 1,004
1/9-20/23 7% 40% 33% 20% 1,000
11/15-22/22 8% 36% 33% 23% 1,004
9/7-14/22 12% 28% 31% 30% 1,448
7/5-12/22 16% 22% 25% 36% 1,003
5/9-19/22 8% 36% 31% 23% 1,004
3/14-24/22 9% 45% 33% 12% 1,004
1/10-21/22 6% 47% 35% 12% 1,000
11/1-10/21 6% 48% 32% 13% 1,004
9/7-16/21 6% 44% 30% 19% 690
7/16-26/21 7% 52% 31% 8% 1,010
9/8-15/20 7% 59% 28% 5% 1,523
Marquette University Law School Poll

Supreme Court approval (2-pt)

Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Approve 463 46% 46% 46%
Disapprove 537 54% 54% 100%
Skipped/Ref 1 0% 0% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job?
National adult samples
Approve Disapprove n
5/20-26/26 46% 54% 1,001
4/8-16/26 42% 57% 964
1/21-28/26 44% 56% 1,003
11/5-12/25 44% 56% 1,052
9/15-24/25 50% 50% 1,043
7/7-16/25 49% 51% 1,005
5/5-15/25 53% 47% 1,004
3/17-27/25 54% 46% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 51% 49% 1,018
12/2-11/24 48% 52% 1,063
10/1-10/24 45% 55% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 43% 57% 1,005
5/6-15/24 39% 61% 1,033
3/18-28/24 47% 53% 1,000
2/5-15/24 40% 60% 1,003
11/2-7/23 41% 59% 1,010
9/18-25/23 43% 57% 1,007
7/7-12/23 45% 55% 1,005
5/8-18/23 41% 59% 1,010
3/13-22/23 44% 56% 1,004
1/9-20/23 47% 53% 1,000
11/15-22/22 44% 56% 1,004
9/7-14/22 40% 60% 1,448
7/5-12/22 38% 61% 1,003
5/9-19/22 44% 55% 1,004
3/14-24/22 54% 45% 1,004
1/10-21/22 52% 46% 1,000
11/1-10/21 54% 46% 1,004
9/7-16/21 49% 50% 690
7/16-26/21 60% 39% 1,010
9/8-15/20 66% 33% 1,523
Marquette University Law School Poll

Justice majority

What is your guess as to whether a majority of the current U.S. Supreme Court justices were appointed by (Democratic) or (Republican) presidents?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Definitely a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 33 3% 3% 3%
Probably a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 160 16% 16% 19%
Probably a majority appointed by Republican presidents 427 43% 43% 62%
Definitely a majority appointed by Republican presidents 380 38% 38% 100%
Skipped/Ref 1 0% 0% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
What is your guess as to whether a majority of the current U.S. Supreme Court justices were appointed by (Democratic) or (Republican) presidents?
National adult samples
Definitely a majority appointed by Democratic presidents Probably a majority appointed by Democratic presidents Probably a majority appointed by Republican presidents Definitely a majority appointed by Republican presidents n
5/20-26/26 3% 16% 43% 38% 1,001
9/15-24/25 3% 16% 44% 37% 1,043
7/7-16/25 2% 14% 43% 41% 1,005
5/5-15/25 3% 17% 40% 40% 1,004
3/17-27/25 3% 17% 42% 38% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 2% 16% 42% 40% 1,018
12/2-11/24 4% 17% 41% 37% 1,063
10/1-10/24 4% 17% 43% 35% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 3% 21% 41% 35% 1,005
5/6-15/24 5% 23% 40% 33% 1,033
3/18-28/24 4% 21% 43% 32% 1,000
2/5-15/24 7% 22% 38% 33% 1,003
11/2-7/23 4% 22% 43% 30% 1,010
9/18-25/23 6% 20% 42% 32% 1,007
7/7-12/23 5% 17% 42% 36% 1,005
5/8-18/23 5% 25% 41% 30% 1,010
3/13-22/23 4% 23% 41% 31% 1,004
1/9-20/23 4% 18% 41% 36% 1,000
11/15-22/22 4% 20% 40% 35% 1,004
9/7-14/22 5% 18% 40% 37% 1,448
7/5-12/22 3% 17% 40% 40% 1,003
5/9-19/22 5% 25% 39% 31% 1,004
3/14-24/22 5% 24% 47% 24% 1,004
1/10-21/22 2% 21% 44% 33% 1,000
11/1-10/21 5% 23% 44% 28% 1,004
9/7-16/21 4% 22% 46% 29% 1,411
7/16-26/21 4% 20% 45% 30% 1,010
9/8-15/20 4% 24% 51% 21% 1,523
9/3-13/19 4% 23% 53% 19% 1,423
Marquette University Law School Poll

Justice motivations

In general, what most often motivates Supreme Court justices’ decisions?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Mainly politics 522 52% 52% 52%
Mainly the law 478 48% 48% 100%
Skipped/Ref 1 0% 0% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
In general, what most often motivates Supreme Court justices’ decisions?
National adult samples
Mainly politics Mainly the law n
5/20-26/26 52% 48% 1,001
11/5-12/25 55% 45% 1,052
9/15-24/25 56% 44% 1,043
7/7-16/25 55% 45% 1,005
5/5-15/25 50% 50% 1,004
3/17-27/25 50% 50% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 54% 46% 1,017
12/2-11/24 52% 48% 1,063
10/1-10/24 55% 45% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 57% 43% 1,005
5/6-15/24 56% 44% 1,033
3/18-28/24 50% 50% 1,000
2/5-15/24 54% 46% 1,003
11/2-7/23 55% 45% 1,010
9/18-25/23 52% 48% 1,007
7/7-12/23 58% 42% 1,005
1/9-20/23 49% 51% 1,000
7/5-12/22 52% 48% 525
1/10-21/22 47% 53% 498
11/1-10/21 30% 70% 1,004
9/7-16/21 39% 61% 1,411
7/16-26/21 29% 71% 1,010
9/8-15/20 37% 62% 1,523
9/3-13/19 35% 64% 1,423
Marquette University Law School Poll

Increase # justices

[Increase the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court] How much do you favor or oppose the following proposals affecting the Supreme Court?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 174 17% 17% 17%
Somewhat favor 331 33% 33% 50%
Somewhat oppose 269 27% 27% 77%
Strongly oppose 227 23% 23% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
[Increase the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court] How much do you favor or oppose the following proposals affecting the Supreme Court?
National adult samples
Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose n
5/20-26/26 17% 33% 27% 23% 1,001
10/1-10/24 18% 35% 22% 24% 1,005
9/18-25/23 14% 40% 22% 23% 1,007
11/15-22/22 13% 34% 25% 28% 1,004
9/7-14/22 18% 33% 20% 29% 1,448
7/5-12/22 17% 32% 22% 29% 1,003
11/1-10/21 15% 33% 23% 29% 1,004
9/7-16/21 16% 32% 20% 31% 1,411
Marquette University Law School Poll

Fixed terms

[Have justices serve a fixed term on the U.S. Supreme Court rather than serving life terms] How much do you favor or oppose the following proposals affecting the Supreme Court?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 480 48% 48% 48%
Somewhat favor 307 31% 31% 79%
Somewhat oppose 144 14% 14% 93%
Strongly oppose 70 7% 7% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
[Have justices serve a fixed term on the U.S. Supreme Court rather than serving life terms] How much do you favor or oppose the following proposals affecting the Supreme Court?
National adult samples
Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose n
5/20-26/26 48% 31% 14% 7% 1,001
10/1-10/24 52% 31% 11% 7% 1,005
11/1-10/21 41% 31% 15% 12% 1,004
9/7-16/21 40% 32% 15% 12% 1,411
Marquette University Law School Poll

Heard about Court

Thinking about the last month only, how much have you heard or read about the U.S. Supreme Court?
National adult sample fielded 5/20-26/26
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 245 24% 24% 24%
A little 565 56% 56% 81%
Nothing at all 191 19% 19% 100%
Marquette University Law School Poll
Thinking about the last month only, how much have you heard or read about the U.S. Supreme Court?
National adult samples
A lot A little Nothing at all n
5/20-26/26 24% 56% 19% 1,001
4/8-16/26 26% 61% 13% 964
1/21-28/26 23% 63% 14% 1,003
11/5-12/25 30% 60% 10% 1,052
9/15-24/25 22% 61% 18% 1,043
7/7-16/25 34% 51% 15% 1,005
5/5-15/25 25% 60% 15% 1,004
3/17-27/25 25% 63% 12% 1,021
1/27-2/6/25 17% 68% 14% 1,018
12/2-11/24 17% 64% 18% 1,063
10/1-10/24 19% 61% 20% 1,005
7/24-8/1/24 32% 54% 14% 1,005
5/6-15/24 27% 52% 21% 1,033
3/18-28/24 30% 50% 19% 1,000
2/5-15/24 24% 56% 20% 1,003
11/2-7/23 15% 60% 25% 1,010
9/18-25/23 17% 61% 22% 1,007
Marquette University Law School Poll

Court avoiding Trump