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Marquette Law School Supreme Court Poll July 24 - August 1, 2024

Supreme Court issues 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.

C1: SCOTUS 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 114 11 11 11
Somewhat approve 318 32 32 43
Somewhat disapprove 257 26 26 69
Strongly disapprove 316 31 31 100

C1: SCOTUS 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 432 43 43 43
Disapprove 573 57 57 100

C2: 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 96 10 10 10
Quite a lot 168 17 17 26
Some 319 32 32 58
Very little 264 26 26 84
None at all 158 16 16 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

C3: Confidence in Congress

[Congress] 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 31 3 3 3
Quite a lot 96 10 10 13
Some 406 40 40 53
Very little 343 34 34 87
None at all 128 13 13 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

C4: Confidence in Presidency

[The Presidency] 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 105 10 10 10
Quite a lot 218 22 22 32
Some 334 33 33 65
Very little 219 22 22 87
None at all 129 13 13 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

C5: Confidence in national news media

[The national news media] 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 33 3 3 3
Quite a lot 87 9 9 12
Some 312 31 31 43
Very little 311 31 31 74
None at all 262 26 26 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

C6: Confidence in juries

[Juries that decide guilt or innocence in criminal cases] 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 109 11 11 11
Quite a lot 285 28 28 39
Some 408 41 41 80
Very little 135 13 13 93
None at all 68 7 7 100
Skipped/Ref 0 0 0 100

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 35 3 3 3
Probably a majority appointed by Democratic presidents 208 21 21 24
Probably a majority appointed by Republican presidents 408 41 41 65
Definitely a majority appointed by Republican presidents 352 35 35 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

C8: Heard about SCOTUS last month

Thinking about the last month only, how much have you heard or read about the U.S. Supreme Court?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
A lot 322 32 32 32
A little 539 54 54 86
Nothing at all 144 14 14 100

C9: Justice motivations

In general, what most often motivates Supreme Court justices’ decisions?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Mainly politics 574 57 57 57
Mainly the law 431 43 43 100

C10: Justice ethical standards

[U.S. Supreme Court Justices] Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields--very high, high, average, low, or very low?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very high 71 7 7 7
High 203 20 20 27
Average 346 34 34 62
Low 261 26 26 88
Very low 124 12 12 100

C11: Municipal outdoor sleeping bans

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld city ordinances that prohibit people who are homeless from sleeping and camping on public property, ruling that such ordinances do not constitute cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Constitution. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 298 30 30 30
Somewhat favor 259 26 26 55
Somewhat oppose 277 28 28 83
Strongly oppose 170 17 17 100

C12: Presidential immunity

In July, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that, while there is no immunity for unofficial acts, former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts as president. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 162 16 16 16
Somewhat favor 246 24 24 41
Somewhat oppose 234 23 23 64
Strongly oppose 363 36 36 100

C13: Domestic violence gun ban

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it does not violate the Second Amendment for the government to take guns away from people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from a court. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 500 50 50 50
Somewhat favor 267 27 27 76
Somewhat oppose 150 15 15 91
Strongly oppose 87 9 9 100

C14: Mifepristone restrictions

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court maintained access to a widely available abortion pill, mifepristone, rejecting a bid from a group seeking to undo the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the pill. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 398 40 40 40
Somewhat favor 272 27 27 67
Somewhat oppose 177 18 18 84
Strongly oppose 159 16 16 100

C15A: Chevron overturn, v1

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1984 decision that required courts to defer to executive agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 44 4 9 9
Somewhat favor 174 17 35 44
Somewhat oppose 196 19 39 83
Strongly oppose 85 8 17 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100
(Missing) 506 50 NA NA

C15B: Chevron overturn, v2

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1984 decision that required courts to defer to executive agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes, ruling instead that courts must exercise their independent judgment on all questions of statutory interpretation made by agencies administering statutes. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 58 6 11 11
Somewhat favor 228 23 45 57
Somewhat oppose 139 14 28 84
Strongly oppose 80 8 16 100
(Missing) 499 50 NA NA

C16: Trump election access

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot bar Donald Trump from election ballots based on the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 366 36 36 36
Somewhat favor 176 18 18 54
Somewhat oppose 176 18 18 71
Strongly oppose 287 29 29 100

C17: Overturn bump stock ban

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had exceeded its statutory authority when it prohibited bump stocks, which enable semiautomatic rifles to fire at speeds rivaling those of machine guns. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 186 19 19 19
Somewhat favor 247 25 25 43
Somewhat oppose 227 23 23 66
Strongly oppose 345 34 34 100

C18: Same-sex marriage right

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 466 46 46 46
Somewhat favor 214 21 21 68
Somewhat oppose 139 14 14 81
Strongly oppose 186 19 19 100
(Missing) 0 0 NA NA

C19: Dobbs decision overturning Roe

[In 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade, thus striking down the 1973 decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states.] How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 206 21 21 21
Somewhat favor 126 12 12 33
Somewhat oppose 167 17 17 50
Strongly oppose 506 50 50 100

C20: 2nd amendment expansion

In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that, subject to some restrictions, the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Strongly favor 406 40 40 40
Somewhat favor 287 29 29 69
Somewhat oppose 175 17 17 86
Strongly oppose 137 14 14 100

F1: SCOTUS ideology

[The US Supreme Court] In general, would you describe each of the following as…?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 277 28 28 28
Somewhat conservative 301 30 30 58
Moderate 326 32 32 90
Somewhat liberal 66 7 7 97
Very liberal 34 3 3 100

INT1: internet use

Do you use the internet or email, at least occasionally?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Yes 1005 100 100 100

INTFREQ: internet frequency

About how often do you use the internet?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Almost constantly 425 42 42 42
Several times a day 500 50 50 92
About once a day 54 5 5 97
Several times a week 17 2 2 99
Less often 9 1 1 100

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 291 29 29 29
Democrat 302 30 30 59
Independent 282 28 28 87
Other/No preference 130 13 13 100

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 358 36 60 60
Not very strong 235 23 40 100
(Missing) 412 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 151 15 37 37
Democratic 161 16 39 76
Neither 100 10 24 100
(Missing) 593 59 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 57 6 6 6
Once a week 141 14 14 20
Once or twice a month 82 8 8 28
A few times a year 186 19 19 46
Seldom 249 25 25 71
Never 289 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 270 27 27 27
No, would not 735 73 73 100

Z5: political ideology

Generally speaking, how would you describe your political views?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Very conservative 118 12 12 12
Somewhat conservative 224 22 22 34
Moderate 382 38 38 72
Somewhat liberal 152 15 15 88
Very liberal 124 12 12 100
(Missing) 5 0 NA NA

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 64 6 6 6
A few times a week 323 32 32 38
A few times a month 249 25 25 63
Once a month 109 11 11 74
Less than once a month 176 18 18 92
Not at all 85 8 8 100

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 241 24 24 24
No 764 76 76 100

GE2020: 2020 vote

Did you vote in the general election in 2020?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Yes, did vote in the 2020 general election 718 71 71 71
No, did not vote in the 2020 general election 285 28 28 100
Web blank 2 0 0 100

Z8: Vote choice in 2020

Which presidential candidate did you vote for in 2020?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Donald Trump 302 30 42 42
Joe Biden 390 39 54 96
Jo Jorgensen 10 1 1 98
Howie Hawkins 2 0 0 98
Another candidate 9 1 1 99
Did not vote in that election 2 0 0 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100
(Missing) 287 29 NA NA

Z9: own or rent

Is your home owned or rented?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Owned 650 65 65 65
Rented 353 35 35 100
Skipped/Ref 3 0 0 100

Z10: adults in household

Including yourself, how many adults age 18 or older are there living in your household?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
1 215 21 21 21
2 473 47 47 68
3 182 18 18 87
4 82 8 8 95
5 33 3 3 98
6 11 1 1 99
7 5 1 1 100
8 or more 5 0 0 100

party ID, 5-cat

Party ID with leaners separate
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 291 29 29 29
Lean Republican 151 15 15 44
Independent 100 10 10 54
Lean Democrat 161 16 16 70
Democrat 302 30 30 100

party ID, leaners as partisans

Party ID with leaners included
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Republican 442 44 44 44
Independent 100 10 10 54
Democrat 462 46 46 100

gender

sex
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Male 481 48 48 48
Female 502 50 50 98
Another gender 12 1 1 99
Skipped/Ref 9 1 1 100

age

age, 4 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
18-29 211 21 21 21
30-44 248 25 25 46
45-59 241 24 24 70
60+ 305 30 30 100

education

education - 5 categories
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than HS 90 9 9 9
HS graduate 283 28 28 37
Vocational/tech school/some college/ associates 266 26 27 64
Bachelor's degree 202 20 20 84
Post grad study/professional degree 159 16 16 100
(Missing) 6 1 NA NA

income

income recode
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Less than $30k 265 26 26 26
$30k to less than $50k 160 16 16 42
$50k to less than $75k 176 17 17 60
$75k to less than $100k 128 13 13 73
$100k or more 268 27 27 99
DK/NA/Ref 8 1 1 100

marital status

marital status
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Married 472 47 47 47
Widowed 59 6 6 53
Divorced 104 10 10 63
Separated 28 3 3 66
Single, never married 245 24 24 90
Single, cohabitating 96 10 10 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100

race/ethnicity

race and hispanic origin
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
White 609 61 61 61
Black 120 12 12 72
Hispanic 169 17 17 89
Other/Multiple 93 9 9 99
Skipped/Ref 14 1 1 100

religious affiliation

religious identification
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Born-again Protestant 232 23 23 23
Mainline Protestant 183 18 18 41
Roman Catholic 193 19 19 60
No religion 303 30 30 91
Other religion 93 9 9 100
Skipped/Ref 1 0 0 100