• New Marquette Law School Poll finds Evers, Trump job approval ratings steady among Wisconsin voters, 42% want Evers to run for a third term, and majorities think Trump’s budget proposals will increase the federal deficit and increase inflation

    65% of Wisconsin voters think half or more of state budget surplus should go to tax cuts

    Also:

    • Most favor holding public university funding at current level or reducing it
    • More disapprove than approve of the overall work of the state legislature, while more approve than disapprove of the work of the state Supreme Court
    • Majorities favor increased state funding of special education but prioritizing property tax reduction over school spending

    MILWAUKEE – A new Marquette Law School Poll survey of Wisconsin finds that 48% of registered voters approve of the job Tony Evers is doing as governor, while 46% disapprove. Forty-two percent say they would like Evers to seek a third term as governor in 2026, while 55% do not want him to run again.

    Support for Evers running for a third term next year is greater than it was for former Gov. Scott Walker in January 2016, when 36% wanted him to seek a third term in 2018 and 61% did not.

    The survey was conducted June 13-19, 2025, interviewing 873 Wisconsin registered voters, with a margin of error of +/-4.7 percentage points. To cover more subjects, a number of items were asked of random half-samples of 436 or 437 registered voters, with a margin of error of +/-6.6 percentage points. (All results are stated as percentages.)

    A large majority of Democrats, 83%, support a third term bid by Evers. Among independents, 37% favor a third term and 50% oppose another race for Evers. Republicans oppose a third term by 93% to just 7% in favor. Table 1 shows the results by party identification.

    Table 1: Want Evers to seek third term run, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDWant third-term run
    YesNo
    Among all registered voters4255
    Republican793
    Independent3750
    Democrat8315
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Would you personally like to see Tony Evers run for a third term as governor in 2026?

    In June, Evers’ job approval was 48% against 46% disapproval, with 5% who don’t know. His job approval has remained close to 50% throughout his time as governor, averaging 50.4% over 35 Marquette polls, with an average disapproval of 41.2% and 7.7% saying they don’t know. Table 2 shows the full history of Evers’ approval rating. Evers enjoyed especially high net approval ratings during the early months of the Covid pandemic in 2020, and slipped into slightly negative territory during his campaign for reelection in 2022. His approval has been net positive in 31 polls and net negative in 4.

    Table 2: Evers job approval

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesApproval
    NetApproveDisapproveDon’t know
    6/13-19/25248465
    2/19-26/25549446
    10/16-24/24651454
    9/18-26/24248465
    8/28-9/5/24751445
    7/24-8/1/24751445
    6/12-20/24751446
    4/3-10/24852443
    1/24-31/24751445
    10/26-11/2/23753462
    6/8-13/231857394
    10/24-11/1/22-146476
    10/3-9/22-246485
    9/6-11/22-344478
    8/10-15/22247458
    6/14-20/22348456
    4/19-24/22649437
    2/22-27/22950418
    10/26-31/21-145468
    8/3-8/21750437
    10/21-25/20750437
    9/30-10/4/201052425
    8/30-9/3/20851435
    8/4-9/202057376
    6/14-18/201654386
    5/3-7/202659337
    3/24-29/203665296
    2/19-23/2013513810
    1/8-12/201151409
    12/3-8/1912503811
    11/13-17/195474210
    10/13-17/1918523413
    8/25-29/1920543410
    4/3-7/1910473715
    1/16-20/1917392238
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Tony Evers is handling his job as Governor of Wisconsin?

    In the current poll, Evers has very high approval from Democrats, 91%, and very high disapproval from Republicans, 86%. Independents are slightly more disapproving, 45%, than approving, 43%, as shown in Table 3.

    Table 3: Approval of Evers, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDApproval
    NetApproveDisapproveDon’t know
    Among all registered voters248465
    Republican-7511863
    Independent-2434512
    Democrat879145
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Tony Evers is handling his job as Governor of Wisconsin?

    Approval of the job the Wisconsin legislature is doing stands at 41%, with disapproval at 50%. Over 18 Marquette polls since 2019, the legislature’s average approval rating is 40.9% and average disapproval is 46.9%, with an average of 11.7% saying they don’t know.

    A majority of Republicans, 51%, approve of how the legislature is doing its job, while most Democrats, 58%, disapprove. Independents are more disapproving, 48%, than approving, 29%, as shown in Table 4.

    Table 4: Approval of legislature’s job performance, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDApproval
    NetApproveDisapproveDon’t know
    Among all registered voters-9415010
    Republican851435
    Independent-19294822
    Democrat-26325810
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way the Wisconsin legislature is handling its job?

    The Wisconsin Supreme Court has a job-performance approval rating of 49% with disapproval at 38%. This is the strongest net approval of the court in seven Marquette polls taken since October 2023. The court’s average approval over those surveys is 46.7%, with average disapproval of 39.7%. More respondents say they don’t know about the court than in the case of the governor or legislature, averaging 13.3%.

    A majority of Democrats, 73%, approve of the court’s work, while a majority of Republicans, 62%, disapprove. Independents are about evenly divided, with 44% who approve and 40% who disapprove. The full results are shown in Table 5.

    Table 5: Approval of Wisconsin Supreme Court’s job performance, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDApproval
    NetApproveDisapproveDon’t know
    Among all registered voters11493813
    Republican-3428629
    Independent4444016
    Democrat60731314
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way the Wisconsin state Supreme Court is handling its job?

    In the aftermath of recent Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 58% say court campaigns have become so partisan that we may as well have candidates run as nominees of political parties, while 42% say it is better to continue to have Wisconsin Supreme Court election ballots not indicate a political party of the candidates. Seventy-three percent of Republicans favor changing to partisan Supreme Court elections, while 58% of Democrats prefer keeping the current nonpartisan elections. Independents are closely divided, with 54% favoring partisan elections and 46% preferring nonpartisan elections. Those who approve of how the court is handling its job are more inclined to keep nonpartisan elections, 54%, while those who disapprove of the court prefer changing to explicitly partisan elections, 75%.

    Views of Donald Trump and national issues

    President Donald Trump’s approval stands at 47%, while 52% disapprove. In February’s Marquette Law School Poll, 48% approved and 51% disapproved. By comparison, during his first term in June 2017, Trump’s approval was 41% and disapproval was 51%.

    Approval by party identification is shown in Table 6. Republican approval remains very high at 90%, down very slightly from 92% in February. Approval among independents is 38%, hardly changed from February’s 39%. Virtually all Democrats, 98%, disapprove of Trump, almost the same as in February, when 97% disapproved.

    Table 6: Approval of Trump, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDApproval
    NetApproveDisapproveDon’t know
    Among all registered voters-547521
    Republican819091
    Independent-2138592
    Democrat-971981
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

    Voters remain concerned about the impact of tariffs on the economy, with 57% saying tariffs hurt the economy, 31% saying they help, and 10% saying they have no effect on the economy. Partisans are sharply divided, with 61% of Republicans saying tariffs help the economy, while 64% of independents and 95% of Democrats say they hurt the economy.

    Trump’s policy proposals are seen as likely to increase inflation by 55%, while 31% say these policies will decrease inflation and 12% think they will have no effect. Sixty-one percent of Republicans say that Trump’s policies will lower inflation, while 54% of independents and 95% of Democrats think they will increase inflation.

    As the debate over the reconciliation bill continues in Congress, 67% say that approving the bill backed by Trump will end up increasing the federal deficit, while 30% think it will reduce the deficit. Republicans are more likely to say the deficit will decrease, 56%, while 71% of independents and 91% of Democrats think the deficit will increase.

    A majority, 56%, favor deporting immigrants in the United States illegally, while 43% oppose deportations. In February, 61% favored deportations and 38% opposed them.

    When asked about including in deportations longtime residents with jobs and no criminal record, 44% favor and 56% oppose such deportations. In February, 50% favored and 50% opposed deporting long-term residents without criminal records.

    Wisconsin budget and policy

    As the governor and legislature struggle over a possible tax cut, the public supports using at least some of the roughly $4 billion state budget surplus for tax cuts. Asked what percentage of the $4 billion state surplus should be used for tax cuts, 65% say half or more of the surplus should go to tax cuts, including 27% who say it should all go to tax cuts, 9% who say three-quarters, and 29% who say about half. Nineteen percent say a quarter of the surplus should go for tax cuts, and 16% say none of it should go for tax cuts. Republicans prefer a larger amount for tax cuts, while Democrats prefer a smaller share. Independents are somewhat in the middle, as shown in Table 7.

    Table 7: Share of surplus for tax cut, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDShare of surplus for tax cut
    All of it used for a tax cutAbout three quarters used for a tax cutAbout half used for a tax cutAbout one quarter used for a tax cutNone of it used for a tax cutDon’t know
    Among all registered voters2792919161
    Republican4511261071
    Independent308322082
    Democrat683228270
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Wisconsin currently has about a $4 billion dollar budget surplus. How much of that, if any, would you like to see given back to taxpayers through a tax cut?

    Proposed legislation would extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers to one year after giving birth. This is favored by 66% and opposed by 32%. In February, opinion was nearly identical, with 67% in favor and 33% opposed. A majority of Republicans, 57%, oppose this coverage for new mothers, while 75% of independents favor it, as do 92% of Democrats.

    Debate over funding for the Universities of Wisconsin system has become a consistent issue in budget cycles. The public currently is about evenly divided on state support for public universities, with 27% saying the state should increase funding for the universities, 49% favoring keeping funding about the same, and 23% saying the state should reduce funding. Those with a college degree are somewhat more likely that non-college-degree individuals to favor a funding increase, but still fewer than a majority, 36%, say so, as shown in Table 8.

    Table 8: Funding for universities, by education

    Among registered voters

    EducationFunding for universities
    IncreaseKeep the sameReduce
    Among all registered voters274923
    Non-college-degree individuals215226
    College degree364618
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Do you think the state should increase funding for the state university system, keep it about the same, or reduce state funding?

    This reluctance to increase funding for public universities persists when respondents were told that “Wisconsin currently ranks 44th of 50 states in public funding for four-year state universities and has recently closed several two-year campuses.” When told this, a majority, 57%, say the universities have to adjust to the current level of state support, while 41% say state funding should be increased. In answering this question, a substantial majority of non-college graduates, 65%, say universities have to adjust to current funding, while a slight majority of college graduates, 53%, favor increased funding for universities.

    Partisans are substantially divided on university funding increases, with a large majority of Republicans, 86%, saying universities must adjust to current funding, as do 59% of independents. In contrast, 71% of Democrats say the state should increase support for universities.

    Wisconsin governors have long enjoyed one of the nation’s most extensive partial veto powers over budget legislation. A majority of registered voters, 54%, say the partial veto gives the governor too much power, while 32% say it is an appropriate power and 14% say they don’t know. A large majority of Republicans, 83%, say this is too much power, as do 55% of independents. A majority of Democrats, 61%, say it is an appropriate power.

    Wisconsin voters do not currently have the ability to put issues on the ballot for statewide referenda. A proposal to adopt a process that would allow citizens to put issues on the ballot by gathering sufficient signatures statewide is supported by 77% and opposed by 21%. Such a citizens’ initiative process holds majority support from all partisan groups, with 68% support of Republicans, 79% from independents, and 85% among Democrats.

    A majority of Wisconsin registered voters favor legalizing marijuana, 67%, with 33% opposed. Support for legalization grew to more than 60% in 2022, where it has remained since. The trend in views of marijuana policy since 2013 is shown in Table 9.

    Table 9: Legalize marijuana

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesLegalize
    Yes, legalNo, illegalDon’t Know
    6/13-19/2567330
    1/24-31/2463297
    10/3-9/2264306
    8/10-15/2269238
    2/22-27/2261317
    4/3-7/1959364
    1/16-20/1959357
    9/11-14/1446512
    3/20-23/1442526
    10/21-24/1350455
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal, or not?

    A majority of Republicans, 56%, oppose legalization, while majorities of independents, 79%, and of Democrats, 88%, favor legalizing marijuana.

    Schools

    Seventy-one percent favor “a major increase” in state aid for special education for public schools, while 29% oppose such an increase. In polls since 2019, more than 70% have favored such an increase each time, as shown in Table 10.

    Table 10: Major increase in aid for special education

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesAid increase
    SupportOppose
    6/13-19/257129
    2/19-26/257623
    8/3-8/217219
    4/3-7/197419
    1/16-20/197320
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Would you favor or oppose a major increase in state aid for special education for public school students?

    One proposal has called for the state to cover 60% of school districts’ special education costs, compared to the current rate of about 30%. When the question is phrased as “The state currently covers about 30% of Wisconsin school districts’ special education costs for public schools. Would you favor or oppose having the state pay for 60% of Wisconsin school districts’ special education costs?” 66% favor the increase, while 32% oppose it.

    There is substantial support for a proposal to provide comprehensive mental health services in schools statewide. This is favored by 75% and opposed by 25%. Majorities of each partisan group favor providing mental health services, 54% among Republicans, 80% among independents, and 95% among Democrats.

    Sixty-three percent say they are very or somewhat satisfied with the job public schools are doing in their community, while 36% are very or somewhat dissatisfied. Satisfaction has generally been above 60% in polling since 2018, which is a bit lower than in polls from 2012 to 2017, as shown in Table 11.

    Table 11: Satisfaction with job schools are doing

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesSatisfaction
    Very satisfied/satisfiedVery dissatisfied/dissatisfiedDon’t know/mixed
    6/13-19/2563361
    2/19-26/2558411
    10/16-24/2465351
    9/18-26/2464361
    6/12-20/24464113
    10/26-11/2/2363352
    6/8-13/2367312
    9/6-11/2262317
    4/19-24/2262325
    10/26-31/2160309
    8/3-8/2169229
    1/8-12/2059338
    9/12-16/18642511
    3/13-16/1774196
    4/7-10/1575213
    5/6-9/1371254
    3/11-13/1381145
    5/23-26/1271245
    5/9-12/1268256
    4/26-29/1266276
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: How satisfied are you with the job the public schools are doing in your community?

    Voters have grown more concerned with holding down property taxes than with increasing funding for K-12 schools in recent years. In this poll, 57% say property taxes are more important while 43% say funding for K-12 schools is more important. In 2013, more voters were also concerned with property taxes than school funding, but this reversed from 2015 until November 2022. Since June 2023, more have rated reducing property taxes as the more important issue. The full trend is shown in Table 12.

    Table 12: More important: property taxes or K-12 funding

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesWhich more important
    Reducing property taxesIncreasing spending on public schools
    6/13-19/255743
    2/19-26/255841
    10/16-24/245544
    9/18-26/245644
    10/26-11/2/235247
    6/8-13/235047
    10/24-11/1/224648
    10/3-9/224252
    9/6-11/224151
    8/10-15/224352
    4/19-24/224650
    8/3-8/214252
    2/19-23/203856
    1/8-12/204155
    1/16-20/193955
    10/24-28/184055
    10/3-7/183757
    9/12-16/183857
    8/15-19/183261
    6/13-17/183559
    2/25-3/1/183363
    4/7-10/154054
    5/6-9/134946
    3/11-13/134946
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Which is more important to you: reduce property taxes or increase spending on public schools?

    While concern for property taxes has increased, a slight majority, 52%, say they would be inclined to vote for a referendum to increase taxes for schools in their community, while 46% say they would vote against a referendum. There has been a slight decline in support for school referendums since 2016, with increased opposition, as shown in Table 13.

    Table 13: Vote for or against school tax referendum

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesReferendum vote
    Vote forVote againstDon’t know
    6/13-19/2552461
    2/19-23/2057348
    1/21-24/1655359
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: If your local school board proposed a referendum to increase taxes for schools would you be more inclined to vote for or to vote against that referendum?

    There is considerable lack of information among the public about how schools are performing in teaching reading, with 40% saying they haven’t heard enough to know if reading tests scores in their communities have changed over the last five years. About a third, 34%, say test scores have gone down, while 21% think they have stayed about the same. Only 4% think scores have gone up. There has been little change in these perceptions in polls since June 2024, as shown in Table 14.

    Table 14: Change in reading test scores

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesReading test scores
    Gone upStayed sameGone downHaven’t heard enough
    6/13-19/254213440
    2/19-26/255193245
    6/12-20/246183541
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: In the public schools in your community, over the last five years, would you say reading test scores have gone up, stayed about the same, gone down, or haven’t you heard enough to say?

    Combining these three recent polls, parents of school age children are only a little less likely to say they haven’t heard enough about test scores, 36%, compared to those without children in school, 44%. Test performance is seen as slightly better among parents than non-parents, as shown in Table 15.

    Table 15: Change in reading test scores, by parental status

    Among registered voters

     Reading test scores
    Kids in schoolGone upStayed sameGone downHaven’t heard enough
    No kids under 184183444
    Has kids under 188223536
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, combined June 2024, February 2025, June 2025
    Question: In the public schools in your community, over the last five years, would you say reading test scores have gone up, stayed about the same, gone down, or haven’t you heard enough to say?

    Satisfaction with public schools is higher than average among those who think reading test scores have gone up or stayed the same, while those who think scores have gone down are especially dissatisfied with schools. Those saying they haven’t heard about test scores are more satisfied than not, but less so than among all respondents, as shown in Table 16, which combines results from June 2024, February 2025 and June 2025.

    Table 16: Satisfaction with schools, by perceived test scores

    Among registered voters

    Perceived test scoresSatisfaction with schools
    Very satisfied/satisfiedVery dissatisfied/dissatisfiedDon’t know/mixed
    Gone up80200
    Stayed same75241
    Gone down35632
    Haven’t heard enough563014
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, combined June 2024, February 2025, June 2025
    Question: How satisfied are you with the job the public schools are doing in your community?
    Question: In the public schools in your community, over the last five years, would you say reading test scores have gone up, stayed about the same, gone down, or haven’t you heard enough to say?

    A majority of respondents, 58%, say Wisconsin schools have set their educational standards lower than they should be, with 34% saying standards are about where they should be and 6% saying standards are too high. In Marquette Law School Poll surveys since 2014, the most frequent response has been that standards are too low, with an increase in this response in 2025 polls, as shown in Table 17.

    Table 17: Wisconsin education standards

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesEducation standards
    About where they should beHigher than they should beLower than they should be
    6/13-19/2534658
    2/19-26/2534660
    2/22-27/22311247
    1/20-23/14321547
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Do you think Wisconsin schools have set their education standards about where they should be, higher than they should be or lower than they should be?

    Respondents overwhelmingly favor banning cell phones in schools during class periods, 89%, with 11% opposed. Seventy-two percent support banning cell phones throughout the school day, including lunch and between classes, with 28% opposed. Parents of school age children are slightly more in favor of both bans than are non-parents.

    Seventy-four percent of voters say they would work with neighbors to keep the closest elementary school open if it were going to be closed, while 25% would not. This is similar for parents, 76%, and for non-parents, 73%. Support for keeping an elementary school open is high across the state, with slightly higher support in small towns and rural areas, as shown in Table 18.

    Table 18: Keep elementary school open, by urban-rural

    Among registered voters

    Urban-rural areaWork to keep school open
    YesNo
    Urban areas7326
    Exurbs and large towns7129
    Rural and small towns8020
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Would you work with your neighbors to keep the closest elementary school open if it were going to be closed down?

    Just over half, 51%, think that if they went to the local school board with a problem, they would get a fair hearing, while 46% say they would not get a fair hearing. Those who say they are satisfied with their local schools are much more likely to expect a fair hearing, 65%, while those dissatisfied with the schools are more likely to not expect a fair hearing, 70%. There is a smaller but still substantial gap by partisanship, with majorities of Republicans and independents expecting not to get a fair hearing and a majority of Democrats expecting a fair hearing, as shown in Table 19.

    Table 19: Get a fair hearing from school board, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDGet a fair hearing
    YesNo
    Among all registered voters5146
    Republican4157
    Independent3955
    Democrat6433
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: If you went to your local school board with a problem, do you think you would get a fair hearing?

    Support for private school vouchers for students statewide stands at 52%, with 47% opposed. Support for statewide vouchers has declined since 2022, as shown in Table 20.

    Table 20: Support for school vouchers statewide

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesSchool vouchers
    FavorOppose
    6/13-19/255247
    2/19-26/255743
    6/8-13/235444
    4/19-24/225833
    2/22-27/225837
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Do you favor or oppose allowing all students statewide to use publicly funded vouchers to attend private or religious schools if they wish to do so?

    When asked to choose between increasing state spending for students to attend private schools or budgeting more for public schools, 31% favor more for private schools and 69% prefer more spending for public schools. This has shown little change in polling since 2022, as shown in Table 21.

    Table 21: Increase state support for private or public schools

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesMore support for private or public schools
    Private schoolsPublic schools
    6/13-19/253169
    2/19-26/253367
    6/8-13/232871
    10/24-11/1/222963
    10/3-9/222864
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: If you were making the choice for the next Wisconsin state budget between increasing state support for (students to attend private schools) or increasing state support for (public schools), which would you favor, (private schools) or (public schools)?

    Measles vaccinations and awareness

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, 84.8% of Wisconsin kindergartners had received the recommended two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as of the 2023-24 school year. Nationwide, the rate of vaccination was 92.7%, with Wisconsin ranking among the lowest-rate states. Respondents were asked if they thought the benefits of the MMR vaccination outweigh the risks, or if the risks outweigh the benefits. Eighty-four percent of respondents say the benefits outweigh the risks, while 15% say the risks outweigh the benefits.

    Those with school-age children are less likely to say the benefits outweigh the risks than are those without children, as shown in Table 22.

    Table 22: MMR vaccine benefits and risks by school age children

    Among registered voters

    School-age kidsVaccine benefits and risks
    The benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the risksThe risks of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the benefits
    No kids under 188612
    Has kids under 187721
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Which comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right? The [benefits/risks] of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the [risks/benefits]?

    Younger parents, those under 45 years old, are especially skeptical of vaccines compared to those the same age without school-age children. Among parents in this age group, 74% say the benefits outweigh the risks and 24% say the risks are greater. Among those under 45 without children, 95% say the benefits are greater and 5% say the risks are greater.

    Views of the vaccine are also related to partisanship, with Republicans most likely to say the risks outweigh the benefits, 26%, closely followed by independents, 20%. In contrast, only 1% of Democrats say the risks outweigh the benefits. Table 23 shows the full results.

    Table 23: Vaccine benefits and risks, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDVaccine benefits and risks
    The benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the risksThe risks of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the benefits
    Among all registered voters8415
    Republican7326
    Independent7720
    Democrat991
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Which comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right? The [benefits/risks] of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the [risks/benefits]?

    Doubts about the MMR vaccine are higher in rural areas and small towns than in either urban or exurban areas, as shown in Table 24.

    Table 24: Vaccine benefits and risks by urban-rural

    Among registered voters

    Urban-rural areaVaccine benefits and risks
    The benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the risksThe risks of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the benefits
    Urban areas8513
    Exurbs and large towns8512
    Rural and small towns7822
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Which comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right? The [benefits/risks] of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella outweigh the [risks/benefits]?

    Among all registered voters, 29% say they have read or heard a lot about the Texas measles outbreak, 47% say they have heard a little, and 24% have heard nothing at all. Parents of school-age children are almost twice as likely to have heard nothing at all about the outbreak than are those without children, as shown in Table 25.

    Table 25: Heard about Texas/New Mexico measles outbreak, by school-age children

    Among registered voters

    School-age kidsRead or heard
    A lotA littleNothing at all
    No kids under 18334820
    Has kids under 18184636
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: How much have you heard or read about a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico?

    There are also partisan differences in awareness of the measles outbreak, with Republicans and independents much more likely to have heard nothing than Democrats, as shown in Table 26.

    Table 26: Heard about Texas/New Mexico measles outbreak, by party identification

    Among registered voters

    Party IDRead or heard
    A lotA littleNothing at all
    Among all registered voters294724
    Republican214831
    Independent244036
    Democrat384914
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: How much have you heard or read about a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico?

    Water-supply issues

    Seventy-nine percent say they are very or somewhat concerned about PFAS, often described as forever chemicals, in their water supply, with 21% not too or not at all concerned. Concern over PFAS has increased since 2022 in the Marquette Law School Poll, as shown in Table 27.

    Table 27: Concern about PFAS in water supply

    Among registered voters

    Poll datesConcern about PFAS
    Very/somewhat concernedNot too/not at all concerned
    6/13-19/257921
    6/12-20/246825
    6/8-13/236929
    6/14-20/226034
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: How concerned are you about certain long-lasting chemicals, known as PFAS, contaminating your drinking water?

    As for the respondent’s own community, 16% have heard a lot about PFAS in the local water, 43% have heard a little, and 41% have heard nothing at all. Those who have heard about this issue in their community are much more concerned than those who have heard nothing, as shown in Table 28.

    Table 28: Concern about PFAS, by heard about PFAS in community

    Among registered voters

    Heard about PFAS in communityConcern
    Very/somewhat concernedNot too/not at all concerned
    A lot9010
    A little8911
    Nothing at all6634
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: How much have you heard about PFAS contamination in your community?

    Water quality issues are seen as an isolated problem by 35% but are seen as a concern throughout the state by 62%.

    The most important concern about water safety is emerging contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS, cited by 33%; followed by fertilizer runoff, 16%; and infrastructure upkeep, 14%. Some 15% don’t see any of these topics as a concern. Lead pipes are mentioned as most important by 9% and are cited more often in the Milwaukee area (14%). The full list of concerns is shown in Table 29.

    Table 29: Most important concerns about water supply

    Among registered voters

    ConcernPercent most important
    Percent
    Emerging contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS33
    Fertilizer runoff16
    None of these is a problem15
    Infrastructure upkeep and renewal14
    Lead pipes9
    Something else6
    Affordability challenges5
    Water scarcity/drought2
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Which of the following is the most important issue affecting the safety of your drinking water?

    Local news

    Sixty-eight percent say they follow what’s going on in politics most of the time, 22% say some of the time, 7% say only now and then, and 4% say they follow politics hardly at all.

    Local community news receives less attention, with 28% saying they follow it very closely, 53% somewhat closely, 16% not too closely, and 3% not at all closely.

    Fifty percent of respondents say local news outlets are very important for the well-being of their community, with 40% who say they are somewhat important, 8% not very important, and 2% not at all important.

    Respondents cite a wide variety of sources they follow most for local news. Local TV news tops the list at 29%, followed by online newspaper websites at 21% and 7% who read a printed newspaper. Social media such as Facebook is the main source of local news for 19%. All other sources are mentioned by fewer than 7% of respondents in each case, though together these other sources add up to almost 20%. The full list is shown in Table 30.

    Table 30: Main source of local news

    Among registered voters

    Local news sourcePercent
    Local TV station29
    An online website for a local daily or weekly newspaper21
    Social media such as Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram19
    A local daily or weekly printed newspaper7
    Another source7
    Conversations with friends and neighbors6
    Local radio station5
    Don’t follow local news from any source5
    Community or neighborhood newsletter or email list2
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Where do you get most of your news about your community and the nearby area?

    People encounter local TV news from different sources. Forty-nine percent say they get the news from the station on TV. The remainder get that news from various sources, with 20% saying they get the news from the station’s website and 14% saying they get it from the station’s social media posts. Still, 17% say they don’t get news from local TV at all.

    As for the sources of news from a newspaper, 26% get that from the paper’s website, followed by 20% from the print edition and 17% from the paper’s social media posts. Thirty-seven percent say they don’t get any news from a newspaper source.

    Only 23% say they subscribe to the local newspaper, either in print or online, leaving 77% who are nonsubscribers. However, 54% of non-subscribers nevertheless say they get news from the paper’s various sources, as shown in Table 31.

    Table 31: Sources of news from newspapers by subscriber status

    Among registered voters

     Sources of news from newspaper
    Do you subscribe to a local newspaper or its website in your area?The newspaper’s print versionThe newspaper’s website, app or emailThe newspaper’s social media postsI don’t get news from a local newspaper
    Yes4538125
    No13231846
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: When you get local news and information from a local newspaper, how do you primarily get that news?
    Question: Do you subscribe to a local newspaper or its website in your area?

    Urban, exurban, and rural area residents consume local TV news at remarkably equal rates, though rural areas are less likely to get such TV news from a website. Social media conveys a similar volume of TV news in urban and exurban areas, with slightly less in rural areas. Rural residents are more likely to say they don’t get any local TV news. The full results are shown in Table 32.

    Table 32: Sources of news from local TV, by urban-rural areas

    Among registered voters

    Urban-rural areaSources of news from TV
    The station on TVThe station’s website, app or emailThe station’s social media postsI don’t get news from local TV
    Urban areas49211614
    Exurbs and large towns49231414
    Rural and small towns49131127
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: When you get local news and information from local TV stations, how do you primarily get that news?

    In contrast to TV, rural areas are more likely to get local news from a printed newspaper source than are urban areas, and less likely to do so on a website. The percentages getting no local news from newspapers, about a third, is quite similar across the urban-rural landscape, as shown in Table 33.

    Table 33: Sources of news from newspapers, by urban-rural areas

    Among registered voters

    Urban-rural areaSources of news from newspapers
    The newspaper’s print versionThe newspaper’s website, app or emailThe newspaper’s social media postsI don’t get news from a local newspaper
    Urban areas13321738
    Exurbs and large towns22232036
    Rural and small towns38141533
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: When you get local news and information from a local newspaper, how do you primarily get that news?

    Favorability ratings

    Favorability to political figures and organizations is shown in Table 34.

    Table 34: Favorability of political figures and organizations

    Among registered voters

    Political figure or organizationFavorability
    NetFavorableUnfavorableHaven’t heard enough
    Tony Evers-245478
    Ron Johnson-4404415
    Tammy Baldwin-344478
    Donald Trump-845532
    JD Vance-643498
    Elon Musk-1938574
    The Republican Party-843515
    The Democratic Party-2536613
    The MAGA movement-1043533
    The Black Lives Matter movement-16375310
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin survey, June 13-19, 2025
    Question: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of or haven’t you heard enough about them yet?

    Sen. Ron Johnson has said he opposes the Republican reconciliation bill because it will increase the federal deficit. That position does not seem to have affected his favorability rating among Republicans in polling, shown since October in Table 35.

    Table 35: Ron Johnson favorability among Republicans

    Among Republican registered voters

    Poll datesFavorability
    FavorableUnfavorableHaven’t heard enough
    6/13-19/25751115
    2/19-26/25771013
    10/16-24/24761014
    Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin surveys, latest: June 13-19, 2025
    Question: [Ron Johnson] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of or haven’t you heard enough about them yet?

    Despite Johnson’s criticism of the legislation, a majority (56%) of Republicans think the deficit will be reduced by the budget legislation, while 43% of Republicans think it will increase the deficit. Johnson’s favorability with Republicans who think the deficit will go down is 77% and with those who think the deficit will increase is 71%.

    About the Marquette Law School Poll

    The Marquette Law School Poll is the most extensive statewide polling project in Wisconsin history. This survey was conducted June 13-19, 2025, interviewing 873 Wisconsin registered voters, with a margin of error of +/-4.7 percentage points. To cover more subjects, a number of items where asked of random half-samples of 436 or 437 registered voters with a margin of error of +/-6.6 percentage points. The half-sample items are listed below.

    Half-sample items:

    • School issues: reading scores; school enrollment; work to keep elementary school open; fair hearing from school board; support school referendum; education standards; cell phone ban in class; cell phone ban in school all day; statewide vouchers for all; increase support for students to attend private or public schools; major increase for special education; state cover 60% of special education costs; school mental health program.
    • Budget and policy issues: citizens’ initiative referendums; how much of surplus go to tax cuts; extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers to 12 months; governor’s partial veto power; legalize marijuana.
    • Water issues: concern over PFAS; how much heard about PFAS; are water problems isolated or statewide; home water from private well or municipal source; whom to trust on water issues; most important water issues

    The survey was conducted with a hybrid sample of 668 respondents selected from the Wisconsin voter registration list and 205 selected from the SSRS Opinion Panel, a sample drawn from postal addresses across the state and invited to take part in surveys online. The interview was conducted online with 746 respondents and with 127 by telephone with a live interviewer. Full details of the methodology are contained in the methodology statement at the link below.

    The partisan makeup of the sample is 36% Republican, 32% Democratic, and 32% independent. When independents who lean to a party are counted as partisans, the sample is 46% Republican, 42% Democratic, and 12% independent. In all polls conducted in 2024, the combined samples were 33% Republican, 31% Democratic, and 36% independent. Counting independents who lean to a party as partisans, the 2024 samples were 45% Republican, 42% Democratic, and 12% independent.

    The entire questionnaire, methodology statement, full results and breakdowns by demographic groups are available on the Marquette Law Poll website.

  • New Marquette Law School Poll national survey finds strong support for authority of courts in cases involving president
    • The U.S. president must obey rulings by either the Supreme Court or lower federal courts; majorities oppose call to impeach judges
    • Majority say President Trump lacks power to freeze spending and close agencies; presidents should not have power to make laws if Congress fails to act
    • Approval of the Supreme Court remains above 50%, rising from below 50% in 2022-2024.

    Please note: Complete Poll results and methodology information can be found online at law.marquette.edu/poll/

    MILWAUKEE – A new Marquette Law School Poll national survey finds strong support for federal courts when they rule against the president on legal matters. When asked whether a president must obey a ruling by a federal court, 79% say the president must obey and 21% say the president can ignore the ruling. When the question asks about a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, slightly more, 84%, say the president must obey the Supreme Court, while 16% say the president can ignore the order.

    When asked in December, 79% said the president must obey rulings of the Supreme Court. There has been a small increase in the percentage since then, as shown in Table 1. The question about a ruling by “a federal court” was asked for the first time in the May survey. (All results in the tables are stated as percentages.)

    Table 1: Must a president obey ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court

    Among adults

    Poll datesObey ruling
    The president has the power to ignore the rulingThe president is required to do as the ruling says
    5/5-15/251684
    3/17-27/251783
    1/27-2/6/251783
    12/2-11/242179
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, latest: May 5-15, 2025
    Question: If the Supreme Court rules against the president in a case, does the president have the power to ignore that ruling, or is the president required to do as the ruling says?

    The survey was conducted May 5-15, 2025, interviewing 1,004 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of +/-3.6 percentage points.

    Large majorities of all partisan groups say the president must obey court rulings, as shown in Table 2. There is variation across partisan identification, with Republicans and independents somewhat more likely to say presidents can ignore rulings than are Democrats, but more than 70% of each party say judicial rulings must be followed, whether the phrasing of the question involves a ruling from a lower federal court or a ruling from the Supreme Court.

    Table 2: Must a president obey court rulings, by party identification

    Among adults

    Party IDObey court ruling
    The president has the power to ignore the rulingThe president is required to do as the ruling says
    phrasing “If the Supreme Court rules”
    Republican2278
    Independent2278
    Democrat793
    phrasing “If a federal court rules”
    Republican2872
    Independent2476
    Democrat1387
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, May 5-15, 2025
    Question: If the Supreme Court rules against the president in a case, does the president have the power to ignore that ruling, or is the president required to do as the ruling says?
    Question: If a federal court rules against the president in a case, does the president have the power to ignore that ruling, or is the president required to do as the ruling says?

    There has been very little change in opinion among Republicans since December, when 79% of Republicans said a president must obey the Supreme Court. In May, 78% said that. Likewise, independents have not changed at all, with 78% in both December and May saying a president must obey the Court. Among Democrats, in contrast, there has been a sharp rise in the percentage saying a president must obey the Court, from 79% in December to 93% in May.

    In recent months, as both federal district courts and the Supreme Court have ruled against President Donald Trump’s administration in a number of cases, both members of Congress and Trump have called for judges to be impeached for ruling against some of Trump’s actions. Seventy percent of survey respondents say judges should not be impeached for such rulings, while 30% say they should be impeached. These percentages remain identical whether the question mentions “members of Congress” or “President Trump” calling for impeachment.

    Mentioning Trump, however, does shift opinion for Republicans in favor of impeachment compared to mentioning members of Congress, while mentioning Trump shifts opinion of independents and Democrats in the opposite direction: against impeachment.

    • Among Republicans, 54% favor impeaching judges when the question says Trump has called for this, compared to 44% when members of Congress are mentioned.
    • For independents, there is less support for impeaching judges, 26%, when Trump is mentioned compared to 31% when members of Congress are mentioned.
    • Among Democrats, there is a small shift, with less support when Trump calls for impeachment, 9%, than when he is not mentioned, 12%.

    When asked whether court orders that have temporarily blocked some of the Trump administration’s executive actions are a proper use of judicial authority, 64% say they are proper and 36% say they are not. Partisan differences are greater on this question. A majority of Republicans, 61%, say they are not proper, while 87% of Democrats say they are proper, as do 69% of independents, as shown in Table 3.

    Table 3: Are court orders blocking administration actions proper use of judicial authority

    Among adults

    Party IDProper use of judicial authority
    YesNo
    Republican3961
    Independent6931
    Democrat8713
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, May 5-15, 2025
    Question: Federal courts have issued orders temporarily blocking a number of the Trump administration’s executive actions. Do you think such orders can be a proper use of judicial authority?

    Presidential power

    Since taking office, Trump has frozen spending and closed agencies that have been authorized by Congress. Sixty-two percent say this is beyond the president’s authority, while 38% say the president has this authority. These views are little changed from March when 64% said this exceeds his authority.

    On this matter, 63% of Republicans say the president has the authority to freeze or close agencies, while 64% of independents and 88% of Democrats say he does not have this power, as shown in Table 4.

    Table 4: Does the president have authority to close agencies authorized by Congress

    Among adults

    Party IDAuthority
    Beyond the president’s authorityHas the authority without congressional approval
    Republican3763
    Independent6435
    Democrat8812
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, May 5-15, 2025
    Question: Do you think agencies and spending that have been authorized by Congress are beyond the president’s authority to close or freeze, or do you think the president has the authority to take these actions without congressional approval?

    When Congress fails to act, 19% say the president should have the power to make laws on his own, while 81% say he should not be able to do so. Opposition to such additional presidential power has increased a little since 2020, when 72% said the president should not be able to unilaterally make laws, as shown in Table 5.

    Table 5: Should president be able to make laws if Congress fails to act

    Among adults

    Poll datesPresident make laws
    Yes, president should be able to make lawsNo, president should not be able to make laws
    5/5-15/251981
    12/2-11/242278
    9/8-15/202872
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, latest: May 5-15, 2025
    Question: When Congress fails to act, should the president have the power to make laws on his own?

    While a majority of all partisan groups are opposed to allowing the president to make laws, there is greater support for this power among Republicans, 31%, than among independents, 21%, or among Democrats, 6%, as shown in Table 6.

    Table 6: Should president be able to make laws if Congress fails to act, by party identification

    Among adults

    Party IDMake laws
    Yes, president should be able to make lawsNo, president should not be able to make laws
    Republican3169
    Independent2179
    Democrat694
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, May 5-15, 2025
    Question: When Congress fails to act, should the president have the power to make laws on his own?

    Recent Supreme Court cases

    In April, the Supreme Court ruled that federal law requires the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, erroneously deported to El Salvador. This ruling is favored by 67% in the survey and opposed by 33%. A majority of Republicans oppose this ruling, 59%, while majorities of independents, 65%, and Democrats, 94%, favor the Court’s ruling.

    Also in April, the Supreme Court said that those the administration is seeking to deport under the Alien Enemies Act must receive notice that they are subject to deportation within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek court review before such deportation occurs. Sixty-five percent favor this ruling and 35% oppose it. A majority of Republicans oppose the ruling, 57%, while majorities of independents, 61%, and Democrats, 90%, favor it.

    In the case of Republicans who oppose these two rulings, large majorities nonetheless say the president must obey Supreme Court decisions. Among those Republicans who oppose the decision to facilitate the return of a prisoner from El Salvador, 75% say the presidents must obey Supreme Court rulings. Likewise among those Republicans opposed to the due process ruling, 79% say presidents must obey the Court.

    In April, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case asking whether parents of elementary school students should be able to opt their children out of reading classes concerning stories about LGBTQ+ characters if those stories conflict with the families’ religious beliefs. A majority, 70%, say parents should be able to opt their children out, while 30% say they should not.

    Parents of school-age children are only slightly more likely to favor requiring the opt-out option, 72%, than are those without children, 69%.

    There are large differences in opinion on this case by religious affiliation, as shown in Table 7. While majorities of each religious group favor the ability to opt out, the variance of support is substantial.

    Table 7: Should parents be able to opt children out of classes, by religion

    Among adults

    ReligionOpt out
    Parents should be able to opt outThe schools should set the curriculum for all
    Born-again Protestant8713
    Mainline Protestant6634
    Roman Catholic7228
    No religion5842
    Other religion6733
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, May 5-15, 2025
    Question: In April, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case asking whether parents of elementary school students should be able to opt their children out of reading classes concerning stories about LGBTQ+ characters, if those stories conflict with the families’ religious beliefs. How do you think the Court should rule?

    Approval of the Supreme Court

    Approval of the Supreme Court in May stands at 53%, with 47% who disapprove. Approval has held above 50% in January, March, and May 2025 surveys by the Marquette Law School Poll. Prior to that, approval of the Court was below 50% from May 2022 through December 2024. Approval had been above 50% from September 2020 through March 2022, with one exception at 49%, as shown in Table 8.

    Table 8: Approval of the U.S. Supreme Court

    Among adults

    Poll datesApproval
    ApproveDisapprove
    5/5-15/255347
    3/17-27/255446
    1/27-2/6/255149
    12/2-11/244852
    10/1-10/244555
    7/24-8/1/244357
    5/6-15/243961
    3/18-28/244753
    2/5-15/244060
    11/2-7/234159
    9/18-25/234357
    7/7-12/234555
    5/8-18/234159
    3/13-22/234456
    1/9-20/234753
    11/15-22/224456
    9/7-14/224060
    7/5-12/223861
    5/9-19/224455
    3/14-24/225445
    1/10-21/225246
    11/1-10/215446
    9/7-16/214950
    7/16-26/216039
    9/8-15/206633
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, latest: May 5-15, 2025
    Question: Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job?

    In May, approval of the Court was at 78% among Republicans, 43% among independents, and 31% among Democrats. Approval among Republicans rose by 10 percentage points from December to January and has declined by 6 percentage points since. Approval among independents was unchanged from December to January and has declined 3 percentage points since then. In contrast, approval among Democrats is substantially greater in March and May than it was in December or January, rising to 31% in May from a low of 19%. These recent trends by party are shown in Table 9.

    Table 9: Supreme Court approval, by party identification

    Among adults

    Poll datesApproval
    ApproveDisapprove
    Republican
    5/5-15/257822
    3/17-27/257921
    1/27-2/6/258416
    12/2-11/247426
    Independent
    5/5-15/254357
    3/17-27/254555
    1/27-2/6/254654
    12/2-11/244654
    Democrat
    5/5-15/253169
    3/17-27/253169
    1/27-2/6/251981
    12/2-11/242179
    Marquette Law School Poll, national survey, latest: May 5-15, 2025
    Question: Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job?

    About the Marquette Law School Poll

    The survey was conducted May 5-15, 2025, interviewing 1,004 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of +/-3.6 percentage points.

    Interviews were conducted using the SSRS Opinion Panel, a national probability sample with interviews conducted online. Certain other data from this survey (focusing on views of the Trump administration and policy issues) were released on May 21. The detailed methodology statement, survey instrument, topline results, and crosstabs for this release are available on the Marquette Law Poll website.

    Wording of questions about recent and past Supreme Court decisions: These items do not attempt to exactly frame the particular issues in specific cases but rather address the topic in more general terms.

    The wording of questions about recent cases include:

    Noem v. Abrego Garcia

    • In April, the Supreme Court ruled that federal law requires the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a man erroneously deported to El Salvador. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?

    Trump v. J.G.G.

    • In April, the Supreme Court said that those the administration is seeking to deport under the Alien Enemies Act must receive notice that they are subject to deportation within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek court review before such deportation occurs. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?

    Mahmoud v. Taylor

    • In April, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case asking whether parents of elementary school students should be able to opt their children out of reading classes concerning stories about LGBTQ+ characters, if those stories conflict with the families’ religious beliefs. How do you think the Court should rule?