U.S. Supreme Court Key Findings

Transcription

1 U.S. Supreme Court Key Findings Prepared for C-SPAN July 14, 2015 Robert Green, Principal Adam Rosenblatt, Director 1110 Vermont Avenue NW Suite 1200 Washington, DC Methodology Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted online interviews from July 1-6, 2015 among n=1,201 American adults nationally. The margin of error for this study is +/- 2.83% at the 95% confidence level and larger for subgroups. Some percentages may add to more or less than 100% due to rounding. 1

2 Definition of Crosstabs Crosstab Definition of crosstab % total (%) U.S. Adults American adults age Gender M Male 49 F Female 51 <35 Age Age Age Age Age D Identify as Democrat, regardless of voter registration 31 R Identify as Republican, regardless of voter registration 26 Party Identify as Independent or something else, I 43 regardless of voter registration Lib Consider themselves Liberal 22 Ideology Mod Consider themselves Moderate 39 Con Consider themselves Conservative 29 Registered and likely to vote in the next election for federal, state, and other offices 77 SCOTUS Informed Can name a Supreme Court case and a Supreme Court Justice 32 Agr Agree that The U.S. Supreme Court should allow television coverage of its oral arguments. 76 Dis Disagree that The U.S. Supreme Court should allow television coverage of its oral arguments. 24 Tracked Data Tracking data cited in this report comes from the following studies. All interviews were conducted online. Crosstab Tracked Study Audience Nov 2014 PSB National Post-Election Survey November 2014 n=409 voters in the 2014 general election June 2014 (LV) PSB Supreme Court Survey June 2014 n=921 likely voters Apr 2013 (LV) PSB Supreme Court Survey April 2013 n=770 likely voters Jan 2013 (LV) PSB Supreme Court Survey January 2013 n=706 likely voters Mar 2012 (A) PSB/C-SPAN Supreme Court Survey March 2012 n=1,000 U.S. adults Dec 2011 (LV) PSB Supreme Court Survey December 2011 n=749 likely voters June 2010 PSB/C-SPAN Supreme Court Survey June 2010 n=1,512 voters in the 2008 general election Sept 2009 PSB/C-SPAN Supreme Court Survey September 2009 n=801 voters in the 2008 general election June 2009 PSB/C-SPAN Supreme Court Survey June 2009* n=1,002 voters in the 2008 general election 2

3 Key Findings 1. In general, would you say the country is headed in the right direction, or would you say that things are headed down the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track How much have you read, seen, or heard in recent weeks about the controversy surrounding the Confederate flag? A lot Some Just a little Nothing at all How much have you read, seen, or heard in recent weeks about decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court? A lot Some Just a little Nothing at all

4 4. Generally speaking, how often do you follow news stories about the U.S. Supreme Court? Very often Somewhat often Just a little Nothing at all Tracked Findings March 2012 (A) Very often Somewhat often Just a little Nothing at all

5 5. Where do you typically get information about the U.S. Supreme Court? Please select all that apply. (MULTIPLE RESPONSES PERMITTED) Television Online media Newspapers Website Social media Radio Magazines Blogs Books Schools Other Tracked Findings June 2010 Television Online media Newspaper Websites Social media Radio Magazines Blogs Books Schools Other

6 6. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement? Decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court have an impact on my everyday life as a citizen. TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Tracked Findings Sept 2009 TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

7 7. Generally speaking, what is your opinion of the overall effectiveness of the U.S. Supreme Court? Would you say you TOTAL APPROVE TOTAL DISAPPROVE Strongly approve of the way the Supreme Court does its job Somewhat approve of the way the Supreme Court does its job Somewhat disapprove of the way the Supreme Court does its job Strongly disapprove of the way the Supreme Court does its job Tracked Findings June 2014 (LV) Jan 2013 (LV) March 2012 (A) TOTAL APPROVE TOTAL DISAPPROVE Strongly approve of the way the Supreme Court does its job Somewhat approve of the way the Supreme Court does its job Somewhat disapprove of the way the Supreme Court does its job Strongly disapprove of the way the Supreme Court does its job

8 8. The U.S. Supreme Court currently does not allow television coverage of oral arguments. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement? The U.S. Supreme Court should allow television coverage of its oral arguments. TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Tracked Findings Nov 2014 June 2014 (LV) TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Apr 2013 (LV) Jan 2013 (LV) Mar 2012 (A) Dec 2011 (LV) June 2010 Sept 2009 June

9 9. Do you think the greater visibility that would come from televising oral arguments would increase or decrease public respect for the proceedings of the U.S. Supreme Court, or would it stay the same? Increase public respect Decrease public respect Stay the same Tracked Findings June 2010 Increase public respect Decrease public respect Stay the same

10 (ALL HEARD EITHER ONE THE OTHER OF THE FOLLOWING TWO QUESTIONS) 10. Do you think that recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) demonstrate that the U.S. Supreme Court acts in a serious and constitutionally sound manner, OR do recent decisions demonstrate that Supreme Court Justices split into parties similar to Republicans and Democrats in Congress? Split on political grounds like congress Acts in a serious and constitutionally sound manner Do you think that recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning same sex marriage demonstrate that the U.S. Supreme Court acts in a serious and constitutionally sound manner, OR do recent decisions demonstrate that the Supreme Court Justices split into parties, similar to Republicans and Democrats in Congress? Split on political grounds like congress Acts in a serious and constitutionally sound manner

11 12. All nine current U.S. Supreme Court Justices are graduates from Harvard, Columbia, or Yale Law School. Yes, same as now. Harvard, Columbia, Yale or another Ivy League law school. No, useful if different educational experience If it were up to you, would you prefer the next time there is a new appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court that the nominee come one of the same law schools as the current justices or would it be useful if the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice had a different background? Don t care Tracked Findings June 2010 Same as now Useful if different educational experience Don t care

12 13. Currently, U.S. Supreme Court Justices serve lifetime appointments. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that U.S. Supreme Court Justices should serve lifetime appointments? TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Tracked Findings June 2010 Sept 2009 TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

13 14. Some say that instead of lifetime appointments, it would be better if U.S. Supreme Court Justices served an 18 year term with possible reappointment by the President (subject to Senate confirmation). Which of the following comes closest to your view on U.S. Supreme Court Justices terms? Strongly prefer 18 year appointment Somewhat prefer 18 year appointment Somewhat prefer lifetime appointment Strongly prefer lifetime appointment Tracked Findings Strongly prefer 18 year appointment Somewhat prefer 18 year appointment Somewhat prefer lifetime appointment Strongly prefer lifetime appointment Sept If there is a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court under the next President, the President will appoint a Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. When you consider Presidential candidates, how important is the ability to appoint a new Justice? Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not at all important

14 16. Can you name any case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court?* Yes (Please Specify) Same sex marriage/rights Roe Vs. Wade / Abortion Affordable Care Act / Healthcare Brown Vs. Board of Education Obergefell vs. Hodges King Vs. Burwell Other No *Those that entered yes were prompted to enter the name of any case heard by the Supreme Court. Cases are listed beneath yes; only correct answers were counted as yes responses. Tracked Findings June 2010 Sept 2009 July 2009 Yes (please specify) No Can you name any Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court?* Yes (Please Specify) Clarence Thomas John Roberts Ruth Bader Ginsburg Antonin Scalia Sonia Sotomayor Anthony Kennedy Elena Kagan Samuel Alito Stephen Breyer No

15 *Those that entered yes were prompted to enter the name of a Supreme Court Justice. Correct names are listed beneath yes; only correct answers were counted as yes responses. Tracked Findings July 2009 Yes (please specify) No Demographics 18. Regardless of how you might be registered to vote, do you consider yourself a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or something else? Democrat Republican Independent Other (AMONG THE 31% WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES DEMOCRAT): And would you say you are a strong Democrat or a not strong Democrat? Strong Democrat Not strong Democrat (AMONG THE 26% WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES REPUBLICAN): And would you say you are a strong Republican or a not strong Republican? Strong Republican Not strong Republican

16 21. (AMONG THE 43% WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES INDEPENDENT OR SOMETHING ELSE): But if you had to choose, would you say you are closer to the Democrats or the Republicans? Closer to the Democrats Closer to the Republicans Neither Generally speaking, do you consider yourself Liberal Moderate Conservative Other Don t know Are you currently registered to vote? Yes No Don t know

17 24. How likely do you think you will be to vote in the next election for federal, state, and other offices? Very likely Somewhat likely Might or might not Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Definitely will not vote What is your gender? Male Female

18 26. Into which of the following categories does your age fall? and over Which of the following best described your ethnicity or racial background? White, Caucasian, European-American, European Black, African- American, Caribbean- American, African Hispanic, Latino Asian, Asian-American Middle Eastern, Arab Native American, American Indian Other (OF THE 86% WHO ARE WHITE, BLACK, OR OTHER): Do you consider yourself to be of Hispanic of Latino descent? Yes No RACE (CODED) White, non-hispanic Black, non-hispanic Hispanic, any race Other