Marquette Law School Supreme Court Poll January 10-21, 2022

Court Items Only

(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 “NA’s” 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.

A2A: justice motivations

In general, what most often motivates Supreme Court justices’ decisions?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Mainly politics 235 23 47 47
Mainly the law 263 26 53 100
(Missing) 502 50 NA NA

A2B: court motivations

In general, do you think that the Supreme Court is mainly motivated by politics or mainly motivated by the law?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Mainly politics 286 29 57 57
Mainly the law 215 22 43 100
Web blank 1 0 0 100
(Missing) 498 50 NA NA

B2: Supreme Court approval

Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the US Supreme Court is handling its job?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly approve 55 6 6 6
Somewhat approve 466 47 47 52
Somewhat disapprove 346 35 35 87
Strongly disapprove 118 12 12 98
Skipped/Ref 15 2 2 100

B2: Supreme Court approval, 2-cat

Overall, how much do you approve or disapprove of the way the US Supreme Court is handling its job?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Approve 521 52 52 52
Disapprove 464 46 46 98
Refused 15 2 2 100

B4: justice appointment majority

What is your guess as to whether a majority of the current US Supreme Court Justices were appointed by Democratic or Republican presidents?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Definitely a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 24 2 2 2
Probably a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 209 21 21 23
Probably a majority appointed by Republican presidents 437 44 44 67
Definitely a majority appointed by Republican presidents 328 33 33 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C7: SCOTUS ideology

[The US Supreme Court] In general, would you describe each of the following as…?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 167 17 17 17
Somewhat conservative 377 38 38 54
Moderate 350 35 35 89
Somewhat liberal 81 8 8 98
Very liberal 23 2 2 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C11: Fav/Unfav Alito

[Samuel Alito] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 423 42 42 42
Heard but not enough 311 31 31 73
Favorable opinion 158 16 16 89
Unfavorable opinion 105 10 10 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

C12: Fav/Unfav Barrett

[Amy Coney Barrett] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 256 26 26 26
Heard but not enough 278 28 28 53
Favorable opinion 220 22 22 75
Unfavorable opinion 244 24 24 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C13: Fav/Unfav Breyer

[Stephen Breyer] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 474 47 47 47
Heard but not enough 314 31 31 79
Favorable opinion 142 14 14 93
Unfavorable opinion 69 7 7 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C14: Fav/Unfav Gorsuch

[Neil Gorsuch] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 429 43 43 43
Heard but not enough 271 27 27 70
Favorable opinion 153 15 15 85
Unfavorable opinion 143 14 14 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

C15: Fav/Unfav Kagan

[Elena Kagan] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 456 46 46 46
Heard but not enough 261 26 26 72
Favorable opinion 185 18 18 90
Unfavorable opinion 95 10 10 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

C16: Fav/Unfav Kavanaugh

[Brett Kavanaugh] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 206 21 21 21
Heard but not enough 262 26 26 47
Favorable opinion 214 21 21 68
Unfavorable opinion 316 32 32 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C17: Fav/Unfav Roberts

[John Roberts] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 340 34 34 34
Heard but not enough 280 28 28 62
Favorable opinion 246 25 25 87
Unfavorable opinion 126 13 13 99
Skipped/Ref 9 1 1 100

C18: Fav/Unfav Sotomayor

[Sonia Sotomayor] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 245 24 24 24
Heard but not enough 251 25 25 50
Favorable opinion 345 35 35 84
Unfavorable opinion 153 15 15 99
Skipped/Ref 6 1 1 100

C19: Fav/Unfav Thomas

[Clarence Thomas] For each of these names have you never heard of them, heard of them but don’t know enough to have an opinion of them, have a favorable opinion or have an unfavorable opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Never heard of 251 25 25 25
Heard but not enough 197 20 20 45
Favorable opinion 300 30 30 75
Unfavorable opinion 245 25 25 99
Skipped/Ref 6 1 1 100

H1: Favor/Oppose strike down Roe

[Overturn Roe versus Wade, thus strike down the 1973 decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states.] Do you favor or oppose the following possible future Supreme Court decisions, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Heard nothing at all 60 6 6 6
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 159 16 16 22
Favor 219 22 22 44
Oppose 556 56 56 99
Skipped/Ref 6 1 1 100

H1: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Overturn Roe versus Wade, thus strike down the 1973 decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states.] Do you favor or oppose the following possible future Supreme Court decisions, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 219 22 28 28
Oppose 556 56 72 100
(Missing) 225 23 NA NA

H2: Favor/Oppose extend 2nd Amendment

[Rule that the 2nd Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” protects the right to carry a gun outside the home.] Do you favor or oppose the following possible future Supreme Court decisions, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Heard nothing at all 79 8 8 8
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 157 16 16 24
Favor 504 50 50 74
Oppose 250 25 25 99
Skipped/Ref 10 1 1 100

H2: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Rule that the 2nd Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” protects the right to carry a gun outside the home.] Do you favor or oppose the following possible future Supreme Court decisions, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 504 50 67 67
Oppose 250 25 33 100
(Missing) 246 25 NA NA

H3: Favor/Oppose ban abortions after 15 weeks

[Rule to uphold a state law that (except in cases of medical emergencies or fetal abnormalities) bans abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.] Do you favor or oppose the following possible future Supreme Court decisions, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Heard nothing at all 79 8 8 8
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 174 17 17 25
Favor 361 36 36 61
Oppose 376 38 38 99
Skipped/Ref 10 1 1 100

H3: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Rule to uphold a state law that (except in cases of medical emergencies or fetal abnormalities) bans abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.] Do you favor or oppose the following possible future Supreme Court decisions, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 361 36 49 49
Oppose 376 38 51 100
(Missing) 264 26 NA NA

P1: OSHA COVID requirement

Do you favor or oppose the federal government requiring that companies with more than 100 employees mandate coronavirus vaccinations or weekly testing for unvaccinated workers?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 535 54 54 54
Oppose 454 45 45 99
Skipped/Ref 11 1 1 100

P2: Healthcare vaccine requirement

Do you favor or oppose the federal government requiring that health-care workers in facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funds be vaccinated against the coronavirus?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 605 61 61 61
Oppose 382 38 38 99
Web blank 12 1 1 100

P7: Favor/Oppose TX abortion law

A new Texas law bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, once cardiac activity can be detected, and it allows any private citizen to sue anyone who performs an abortion or assists someone in obtaining an abortion. Do you favor or oppose this law, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 225 23 23 23
Oppose 583 58 58 81
Haven't heard enough 187 19 19 99
Skipped/Ref 5 1 1 100

P7: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] A new Texas law bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, once cardiac activity can be detected, and it allows any private citizen to sue anyone who performs an abortion or assists someone in obtaining an abortion. Do you favor or oppose this law, or haven’t you heard enough about this to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favor 225 23 28 28
Oppose 583 58 72 100
(Missing) 192 19 NA NA

Z1: Party ID

Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 256 26 26 26
Democrat 301 30 30 56
Independent 324 32 32 88
Other/No preference 116 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

Z2A: Party ID strenth

Would you call yourself a strong [Republican/Democrat] or a not very strong [Republican/Democrat]?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strong 339 34 61 61
Not very strong 218 22 39 100
(Missing) 443 44 NA NA

Z2B: Party ID lean

Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 101 10 23 23
Democratic 154 15 35 58
Neither 185 19 42 100
(Missing) 560 56 NA NA

Z3: religious service attendance

Aside from weddings and funerals, how often do you attend religious services?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
More than once a week 62 6 6 6
Once a week 169 17 17 23
Once or twice a month 72 7 7 30
A few times a year 172 17 17 47
Seldom 247 25 25 72
Never 277 28 28 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

Z4: born-again or evangelical

Would you describe yourself as a "born-again" or evangelical Christian, or not?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Yes, would 278 28 28 28
No, would not 722 72 72 100

Z5: political ideology

Generally speaking, how would you describe your political views?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 103 10 10 10
Somewhat conservative 185 19 19 29
Moderate 420 42 42 71
Somewhat liberal 170 17 17 88
Very liberal 120 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

Z6: talk to neighbors

Thinking back to the months prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in the US, how often did you talk with any of your neighbors?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Basically, every day 115 12 12 12
A few times a week 266 27 27 38
A few times a month 273 27 27 65
Once a month 83 8 8 74
Less than once a month 154 15 15 89
Not at all 108 11 11 100

Z7: volunteering

We are interested in volunteer activities for which people are not paid, except perhaps expenses.  In the last 12 months, have you done any volunteer activities through or for an organization?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Yes 282 28 28 28
No 717 72 72 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

gender

sex
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Male 469 47 47 47
Female 504 50 50 97
Another gender 7 1 1 98
Skipped/Ref 19 2 2 100

age

age, 4 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
18-29 194 19 19 19
30-44 263 26 26 46
45-59 239 24 24 70
60+ 304 30 30 100

party ID, 5-cat

Party ID with leaners separate
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 256 26 26 26
Lean Republican 101 10 10 36
Independent 185 19 19 54
Lean Democrat 154 15 15 70
Democrat 301 30 30 100
Refused 3 0 0 100

party ID, leaners as partisans

Party ID with leaners included
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 357 36 36 36
Independent 185 19 19 54
Democrat 455 45 45 100
Refused 3 0 0 100

education

education - 5 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than HS 69 7 7 7
HS graduate 306 31 31 38
Vocational/tech school/some college/ associates 271 27 27 65
Bachelor's degree 180 18 18 83
Post grad study/professional degree 173 17 17 100

income

income recode
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than $30k 297 30 30 30
$30k to less than $50k 176 18 18 47
$50k to less than $75k 183 18 18 66
$75k to less than $100k 125 13 13 78
$100k or more 155 15 15 94
DK/NA/Ref 64 6 6 100

marital status

marital status
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Married 487 49 49 49
Widowed 50 5 5 54
Divorced 87 9 9 62
Separated 18 2 2 64
Single, never married 247 25 25 89
Single, cohabitating 111 11 11 100

race/ethnicity

race and hispanic origin
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
White 617 62 62 62
Black 119 12 12 74
Hispanic 167 17 17 90
Other/Multiple 81 8 8 98
Skipped/Ref 16 2 2 100

religious affiliation

religious identification
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Born-again Protestant 197 20 20 20
Mainline Protestant 127 13 13 33
Roman Catholic 207 21 21 53
No religion 279 28 28 81
Other religion 183 18 18 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100
(Missing) 3 0 NA NA