Marquette Law School Supreme Court Poll March 14-24, 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.

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 91 9 9 9
Somewhat approve 454 45 45 54
Somewhat disapprove 329 33 33 87
Strongly disapprove 121 12 12 99
Skipped/Ref 9 1 1 100

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 545 54 54 54
Disapprove 450 45 45 99
Skipped/Ref 9 1 1 100

C1: Impt of next justice

How important is the choice of the next Supreme Court justice to you personally?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very important 469 47 47 47
Somewhat important 307 31 31 77
Not too important 174 17 17 95
Not at all important 52 5 5 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C2: Impt of justice ideology

If a nominee for the US Supreme Court is qualified and has no ethical problems, would US Senators be justified or not justified in voting against that nominee simply because of how they believe the Justice would decide cases on issues such as abortion, gun control, or affirmative action?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Justified in voting against the nominee 403 40 40 40
Not justified in voting against the nominee 597 59 59 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

C3: Impt of justice party

If a nominee for the US Supreme Court is qualified and has no ethical problems, would US Senators be justified or not justified in voting against that nominee simply because the Senator is from a different political party from the president who made the nomination?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Justified in voting against the nominee 175 17 17 17
Not justified in voting against the nominee 822 82 82 99
Skipped/Ref 8 1 1 100

C4: Justice nomination 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 47 5 5 5
Probably a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 238 24 24 28
Probably a majority appointed by Republican presidents 471 47 47 75
Definitely a majority appointed by Republican presidents 246 24 24 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

C5A: Heard about Jackson nomination v1

How much have you seen, read, or heard about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson being nominated to replace Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 49 5 10 10
Some 200 20 40 50
Not much 154 15 31 80
Nothing at all 99 10 20 100
(Missing) 501 50 NA NA

C5B: Heard about Jackson nomination v2

How much have you seen, read, or heard about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson being nominated to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 56 6 11 11
Some 247 25 49 60
Not much 130 13 26 86
Nothing at all 67 7 13 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100
(Missing) 503 50 NA NA

C5: Heard about Jackson nomination, both

How much have you seen, read, or heard about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson being nominated to [replace Justice Stephen Breyer/to be the first Black woman] on the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 105 10 10 10
Some 447 45 45 55
Not much 284 28 28 83
Nothing at all 166 17 17 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

C6: Support/Oppose Jackson

If you had a vote in the Senate, would you support or oppose the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Support 658 66 66 66
Oppose 339 34 34 99
Skipped/Ref 7 1 1 100

C7A: Jackson qualification v1

From what you have heard of her, do you think Ketanji Brown Jackson is very qualified, somewhat qualified, or not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very qualified 226 22 45 45
Somewhat qualified 205 20 41 85
Not qualified 72 7 14 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100
(Missing) 501 50 NA NA

C7B: Jackson qualification v2

From what you have heard of her legal background and judicial experience, do you think Ketanji Brown Jackson is very qualified, somewhat qualified, or not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very qualified 236 24 47 47
Somewhat qualified 214 21 43 90
Not qualified 47 5 9 99
Skipped/Ref 3 0 1 100
(Missing) 503 50 NA NA

C7: Jackson qualification, both

From what you have heard of her [legal background and judicial experience], do you think Ketanji Brown Jackson is very qualified, somewhat qualified, or not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very qualified 462 46 46 46
Somewhat qualified 419 42 42 88
Not qualified 119 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

D5: Fav/Unfav Jackson

[Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson] Do you have a favorable or an unfavorable opinion of the following people or haven’t you heard enough yet to have an opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Favorable opinion 442 44 44 44
Unfavorable opinion 178 18 18 62
Haven't heard enough 377 38 38 99
Skipped/Ref 7 1 1 100

D6: SCOTUS ideology

[The US Supreme Court] In general, would you describe each of the following as…?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 148 15 15 15
Somewhat conservative 374 37 37 52
Moderate 363 36 36 88
Somewhat liberal 99 10 10 98
Very liberal 17 2 2 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

D10: SCOTUS ideology trend

Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally become…?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Much more conservative 189 19 19 19
Somewhat more conservative 311 31 31 50
Hasn't changed much 299 30 30 80
Somewhat more liberal 168 17 17 96
Much more liberal 33 3 3 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

D11: Jackson influence on Court

If she is confirmed to the Supreme Court, would Ketanji Brown Jackson make the Court…?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Much more conservative 22 2 2 2
Somewhat more conservative 56 6 6 8
Would not change much 456 45 45 53
Somewhat more liberal 330 33 33 86
Much more liberal 133 13 13 99
Skipped/Ref 6 1 1 100

F1: Rights trend: LGBT

[Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people] Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally expanded or reduced the rights protected for each of these groups or has it not changed much either way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Expanded rights 711 71 71 71
Reduced rights 136 14 14 84
Has not changed much either way 154 15 15 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

F2: Rights trend: Religion

[Religious people and organizations] Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally expanded or reduced the rights protected for each of these groups or has it not changed much either way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Expanded rights 313 31 31 31
Reduced rights 228 23 23 54
Has not changed much either way 460 46 46 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

F3: Rights trend: Guns

[Gun owners] Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally expanded or reduced the rights protected for each of these groups or has it not changed much either way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Expanded rights 293 29 29 29
Reduced rights 279 28 28 57
Has not changed much either way 431 43 43 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

F4: Rights trend: Abortion

[Those seeking an abortion] Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally expanded or reduced the rights protected for each of these groups or has it not changed much either way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Expanded rights 194 19 19 19
Reduced rights 497 49 49 69
Has not changed much either way 310 31 31 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

F5: Rights trend: Voting

[Voting rights of racial or ethnic minorities] Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally expanded or reduced the rights protected for each of these groups or has it not changed much either way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Expanded rights 361 36 36 36
Reduced rights 248 25 25 61
Has not changed much either way 392 39 39 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

F6: Rights trend: Donors

[Contributors to political campaigns] Over the past 15 years or so would you say the Supreme Court has generally expanded or reduced the rights protected for each of these groups or has it not changed much either way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Expanded rights 398 40 40 40
Reduced rights 121 12 12 52
Has not changed much either way 480 48 48 99
Skipped/Ref 5 1 1 100

H1: Overturn 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 116 12 12 12
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 185 18 18 30
Favor 227 23 23 53
Oppose 474 47 47 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

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 227 23 32 32
Oppose 474 47 68 100
(Missing) 303 30 NA NA

H2: Ban affirmative action

[Rule that colleges cannot use race as one of several factors in deciding which applicants to admit.] 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 157 16 16 16
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 176 17 17 33
Favor 492 49 49 82
Oppose 168 17 17 99
Skipped/Ref 11 1 1 100

H2: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Rule that colleges cannot use race as one of several factors in deciding which applicants to admit.] 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 492 49 75 75
Oppose 168 17 25 100
(Missing) 344 34 NA NA

H3: Discrimination against LGBT people

[Decide that a business owner’s religious beliefs or free speech rights can justify refusing some services to gay people.] 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 114 11 11 11
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 174 17 17 29
Heard of and favor the decision 277 28 28 56
Heard of and oppose the decision 436 43 43 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

H3: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Decide that a business owner’s religious beliefs or free speech rights can justify refusing some services to gay people.] 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 of and favor the decision 277 28 39 39
Heard of and oppose the decision 436 43 61 100
(Missing) 291 29 NA NA

H4: 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 94 9 9 9
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 227 23 23 32
Favor 430 43 43 75
Oppose 250 25 25 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

H4: (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 430 43 63 63
Oppose 250 25 37 100
(Missing) 324 32 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 254 25 25 25
Democrat 302 30 30 55
Independent 279 28 28 83
Other/No preference 168 17 17 100

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 350 35 63 63
Not very strong 205 20 37 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100
(Missing) 447 45 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 144 14 32 32
Democratic 139 14 31 63
Neither 164 16 37 100
(Missing) 557 55 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 89 9 9 9
Once a week 140 14 14 23
Once or twice a month 64 6 6 29
A few times a year 153 15 15 44
Seldom 231 23 23 67
Never 323 32 32 100
Skipped/Ref 3 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 288 29 29 29
No, would not 715 71 71 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

Z5: political ideology

Generally speaking, how would you describe your political views?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 134 13 13 13
Somewhat conservative 209 21 21 34
Moderate 366 36 36 71
Somewhat liberal 156 15 15 86
Very liberal 139 14 14 100
Skipped/Ref 1 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 11 11 11
A few times a week 289 29 29 40
A few times a month 261 26 26 66
Once a month 66 7 7 73
Less than once a month 153 15 15 88
Not at all 119 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

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 278 28 28 28
No 723 72 72 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

gender

sex
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Male 457 45 45 45
Female 506 50 50 96
Another gender 15 2 2 97
Skipped/Ref 27 3 3 100

age

age, 4 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
18-29 198 20 20 20
30-44 254 25 25 45
45-59 240 24 24 69
60+ 312 31 31 100

party ID, 5-cat

Party ID with leaners separate
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 254 25 25 25
Lean Republican 144 14 14 40
Independent 164 16 16 56
Lean Democrat 139 14 14 70
Democrat 302 30 30 100

party ID, leaners as partisans

Party ID with leaners included
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 398 40 40 40
Independent 164 16 16 56
Democrat 441 44 44 100

education

education - 5 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than HS 70 7 7 7
HS graduate 304 30 30 37
Vocational/tech school/some college/ associates 277 28 28 65
Bachelor's degree 177 18 18 82
Post grad study/professional degree 176 18 18 100

income

income recode
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than $30k 276 27 27 27
$30k to less than $50k 202 20 20 48
$50k to less than $75k 176 17 17 65
$75k to less than $100k 133 13 13 78
$100k or more 180 18 18 96
DK/NA/Ref 38 4 4 100

marital status

marital status
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Married 498 50 50 50
Widowed 50 5 5 55
Divorced 119 12 12 66
Separated 18 2 2 68
Single, never married 203 20 20 88
Single, cohabitating 116 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

race/ethnicity

race and hispanic origin
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
White 609 61 61 61
Black 110 11 11 72
Hispanic 159 16 16 87
Other/Multiple 79 8 8 95
Skipped/Ref 47 5 5 100

religious affiliation

religious identification
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Born-again Protestant 221 22 22 22
Mainline Protestant 107 11 11 33
Roman Catholic 192 19 19 52
No religion 336 33 33 85
Other religion 146 15 15 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100
(Missing) 0 0 NA NA