Marquette Law School Supreme Court Poll September 7-14, 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 168 12 12 12
Somewhat approve 407 28 28 40
Somewhat disapprove 442 31 31 70
Strongly disapprove 428 30 30 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

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 575 40 40 40
Disapprove 870 60 60 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

C1: Confidence in SCOTUS

[The US Supreme Court] Here is a list of institutions in American society. How much confidence do you have in each one?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A great deal 138 10 10 10
Quite a lot 291 20 20 30
Some 496 34 34 64
Very little 373 26 26 90
None at all 150 10 10 100

C4: Confidence in State Supreme Court

[Your state Supreme Court or highest court in your state] Here is a list of institutions in American society. How much confidence do you have in each one?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A great deal 112 8 8 8
Quite a lot 384 27 27 34
Some 647 45 45 79
Very little 216 15 15 94
None at all 89 6 6 100

C7: 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 66 5 5 5
Probably a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 257 18 18 22
Probably a majority appointed by Republican presidents 586 40 40 63
Definitely a majority appointed by Republican presidents 535 37 37 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

C8: 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 466 32 32 32
Heard but not enough 435 30 30 62
Favorable opinion 274 19 19 81
Unfavorable opinion 273 19 19 100

C9: Fav/Unfav - Coney 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 316 22 22 22
Heard but not enough 399 28 28 49
Favorable opinion 308 21 21 71
Unfavorable opinion 425 29 29 100

C10: 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 477 33 33 33
Heard but not enough 467 32 32 65
Favorable opinion 264 18 18 83
Unfavorable opinion 240 17 17 100

C11: Fav/Unfav - Brown Jackson

[Ketanji Brown Jackson] 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 369 25 25 25
Heard but not enough 488 34 34 59
Favorable opinion 387 27 27 86
Unfavorable opinion 204 14 14 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

C12: 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 531 37 37 37
Heard but not enough 491 34 34 71
Favorable opinion 277 19 19 90
Unfavorable opinion 149 10 10 100

C13: 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 230 16 16 16
Heard but not enough 343 24 24 40
Favorable opinion 352 24 24 64
Unfavorable opinion 521 36 36 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

C14: 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 367 25 25 25
Heard but not enough 461 32 32 57
Favorable opinion 386 27 27 84
Unfavorable opinion 231 16 16 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

C15: 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 336 23 23 23
Heard but not enough 366 25 25 48
Favorable opinion 521 36 36 84
Unfavorable opinion 225 16 16 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

C16: 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 227 16 16 16
Heard but not enough 304 21 21 37
Favorable opinion 390 27 27 64
Unfavorable opinion 526 36 36 100

C17: Knowledge of abortion ruling

[A Supreme Court decision on abortion] Here are some recent topics in the news. How much have you heard or read about each of these?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 1217 84 84 84
A little 192 13 13 97
Nothing at all 39 3 3 100

C19: Knowledge of 2nd Amendment ruling

[A Supreme Court decision on the right to possess a gun outside the home] Here are some recent topics in the news. How much have you heard or read about each of these?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 455 31 31 31
A little 694 48 48 79
Nothing at all 299 21 21 100

C20: Knowledge of student debt cancellation

[Forgiving and canceling federal student loan debt up to $20,000] Here are some recent topics in the news. How much have you heard or read about each of these?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 1003 69 69 69
A little 369 25 25 95
Nothing at all 76 5 5 100

D1: SCOTUS ideology

[The US Supreme Court] In general, would you describe each of the following as…?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 424 29 29 29
Somewhat conservative 509 35 35 64
Moderate 391 27 27 91
Somewhat liberal 79 5 5 97
Very liberal 37 3 3 99
Skipped/Ref 9 1 1 100

D6: 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 459 32 32 32
Somewhat more conservative 450 31 31 63
Hasn't changed much 299 21 21 83
Somewhat more liberal 172 12 12 95
Much more liberal 64 4 4 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

D7: Should Court consider opinion

Should justices of the Supreme Court consider public opinion about a case when making decisions or should they ignore public opinion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Should consider public opinion 879 61 61 61
Should ignore public opinion 569 39 39 100

D8: Increase # of justices

[Increase the number of justices on the US Supreme Court] How much do you favor or oppose the following proposals affecting the Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 257 18 18 18
Somewhat favor 478 33 33 51
Somewhat oppose 294 20 20 71
Strongly oppose 419 29 29 100

H1: 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 410 28 28 28
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 321 22 22 50
Favor 532 37 37 87
Oppose 184 13 13 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

H1: (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 532 37 74 74
Oppose 184 13 26 100
(Missing) 732 51 NA NA

H2: LGBTQ discrimination

[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 341 24 24 24
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 295 20 20 44
Heard of and favor the decision 298 21 21 65
Heard of and oppose the decision 510 35 35 100
Skipped/Ref 4 0 0 100

H2: (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 298 21 37 37
Heard of and oppose the decision 510 35 63 100
(Missing) 640 44 NA NA

J1: rights - LGBTQ

[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 875 60 60 60
Reduced rights 297 21 21 81
Has not changed much either way 270 19 19 100
Skipped/Ref 6 0 0 100

J2: rights - religious groups

[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 567 39 39 39
Reduced rights 293 20 20 59
Has not changed much either way 584 40 40 100
Skipped/Ref 5 0 0 100

J3: rights - gun owners

[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 645 45 45 45
Reduced rights 322 22 22 67
Has not changed much either way 475 33 33 100
Skipped/Ref 6 0 0 100

J4: rights - abortion seekers

[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 117 8 8 8
Reduced rights 1147 79 79 87
Has not changed much either way 179 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 5 0 0 100

J5: rights - minority voting rights

[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 399 28 28 28
Reduced rights 407 28 28 56
Has not changed much either way 636 44 44 100
Skipped/Ref 5 0 0 100

J6: rights - political 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 593 41 41 41
Reduced rights 164 11 11 52
Has not changed much either way 684 47 47 100
Skipped/Ref 6 0 0 100

J7: overturned Roe

[Overturned Roe versus Wade, thus striking down the 1973 decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states.] Do you favor or oppose the following recent 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 40 3 3 3
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 95 7 7 9
Heard of and favor the decision 432 30 30 39
Heard of and oppose the decision 880 61 61 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

J7: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Overturned Roe versus Wade, thus striking down the 1973 decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states.] Do you favor or oppose the following recent 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 432 30 33 33
Heard of and oppose the decision 880 61 67 100
(Missing) 136 9 NA NA

J8: expanded 2nd Amendment

[Ruled 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 recent 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 11 11 11
Heard of but not enough for an opinion 317 22 22 33
Heard of and favor the decision 548 38 38 71
Heard of and oppose the decision 416 29 29 99
Skipped/Ref 10 1 1 100

J8: (those with opinions only)

[THOSE WITH OPINIONS ONLY] [Ruled 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 recent 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 548 38 57 57
Heard of and oppose the decision 416 29 43 100
(Missing) 484 33 NA NA

J9: Personal importance of abortion issue

How important is the abortion issue to you--would you say it is one of the most important, somewhat important, not very important, or not important at all?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
One of the most important issues 689 48 48 48
Somewhat important 513 35 35 83
Not very important 176 12 12 95
Not important at all 70 5 5 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

J10: Same-sex marriage

In 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 686 47 47 47
Somewhat favor 336 23 23 71
Somewhat oppose 207 14 14 85
Strongly oppose 214 15 15 100
Skipped/Ref 6 0 0 100

J11: LGBT workplace discrimination

In 2020 the Supreme Court ruled that a federal civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 844 58 58 58
Somewhat favor 421 29 29 87
Somewhat oppose 129 9 9 96
Strongly oppose 47 3 3 100
Skipped/Ref 6 0 0 100

X1: Trust in government

How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right?...Just about always, most of the time, only some of the time, never?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Just about always 25 2 2 2
Most of the time 292 20 20 22
Only some of the time 906 63 63 84
Never 223 15 15 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

X2: Trust in others

Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or most people can't be trusted?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Most people can be trusted 826 57 57 57
Most people can't be trusted 620 43 43 100
Skipped/Ref 2 0 0 100

INT1: internet use

Do you use the internet or email, at least occasionally?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Yes 1448 100 100 100

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 395 27 27 27
Democrat 461 32 32 59
Independent 437 30 30 89
Other/No preference 149 10 10 100
Skipped/Ref 6 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 550 38 64 64
Not very strong 306 21 36 100
(Missing) 592 41 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 173 12 30 30
Democratic 190 13 32 62
Neither 222 15 38 100
(Missing) 862 60 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 91 6 6 6
Once a week 259 18 18 24
Once or twice a month 111 8 8 32
A few times a year 238 16 16 48
Seldom 333 23 23 71
Never 416 29 29 100

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 388 27 27 27
No, would not 1060 73 73 100

Z5: political ideology

Generally speaking, how would you describe your political views?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 172 12 12 12
Somewhat conservative 325 22 22 34
Moderate 557 38 38 73
Somewhat liberal 233 16 16 89
Very liberal 160 11 11 100

Z6: talk to neighbors

During the last 12 months, how often did you talk with any of your neighbors?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Basically, every day 142 10 10 10
A few times a week 455 31 31 41
A few times a month 379 26 26 67
Once a month 150 10 10 78
Less than once a month 210 14 14 92
Not at all 112 8 8 100
Skipped/Ref 0 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 417 29 29 29
No 1030 71 71 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

party ID, 5-cat

Party ID with leaners separate
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 395 27 27 27
Lean Republican 173 12 12 39
Independent 222 15 15 55
Lean Democrat 190 13 13 68
Democrat 461 32 32 100
Refused 6 0 0 100

party ID, leaners as partisans

Party ID with leaners included
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 568 39 39 39
Independent 222 15 15 55
Democrat 651 45 45 100
Refused 6 0 0 100

gender

sex
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Male 638 44 44 44
Female 750 52 52 96
Another gender 19 1 1 97
Skipped/Ref 41 3 3 100

age

age, 4 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
18-29 270 19 19 19
30-44 375 26 26 45
45-59 334 23 23 68
60+ 470 32 32 100

education

education - 5 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than HS 103 7 7 7
HS graduate 398 27 28 35
Vocational/tech school/some college/ associates 410 28 28 63
Bachelor's degree 265 18 18 82
Post grad study/professional degree 266 18 18 100
(Missing) 6 0 NA NA

income

income recode
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than $30k 421 29 29 29
$30k to less than $50k 259 18 18 47
$50k to less than $75k 271 19 19 66
$75k to less than $100k 206 14 14 80
$100k or more 289 20 20 100
DK/NA/Ref 2 0 0 100

marital status

marital status
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Married 676 47 47 47
Widowed 60 4 4 51
Divorced 160 11 11 62
Separated 27 2 2 64
Single, never married 349 24 24 88
Single, cohabitating 173 12 12 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

race/ethnicity

race and hispanic origin
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
White 876 60 60 60
Black 168 12 12 72
Hispanic 231 16 16 88
Other/Multiple 109 8 8 96
Skipped/Ref 64 4 4 100

religious affiliation

religious identification
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Born-again Protestant 294 20 20 20
Mainline Protestant 212 15 15 35
Roman Catholic 293 20 20 55
No religion 453 31 31 86
Other religion 190 13 13 100
Skipped/Ref 5 0 0 100