Comprehensive Death Penalty Poll Challenges the Conventional Wisdom about Support for Capital Punishment among Voters
Research shows growing support for life without parole; other budget priorities more pressing than the death penalty
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Richard Dieter of Death Penalty Information Center and pollsters Celinda Lake and Rick Johnson of Lake Research Partners will hold a telephone press briefing on November 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. ET on a death penalty poll being released. Nationwide, a clear majority of voters would choose a punishment other than the death penalty for murder, such as life without parole, life without parole with restitution to the victim's family, or life with parole.
Voters ranked the death penalty the lowest on a list of budget priorities and expressed strong support for replacing the death penalty with life without parole, if the money saved was used to fund crime prevention programs. In states with the death penalty, a plurality of voters said it would make no difference in their vote if a representative supported repeal of the death penalty; and a majority said either it would make no difference or they would be more likely to vote for such a representative. In 2011, about five states are expected to consider repeal legislation.
The poll dug deeply into Americans' thinking about the death penalty and the problems they see in this punishment. For decades, elected officials have equated being tough on crime with support for the death penalty, but this research shows that capital punishment may no longer be a "third rail" of politics.
Questions and answers from the poll and related graphics will be available at 9:00 a.m. ET on November 16, 2010 at DPIC's website at www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/pollresults. The poll was taken before November 2, 2010.
Who: Richard Dieter, Death Penalty Information Center; Celinda Lake and Rick Johnson, Lake Research Partners
What: Telephone Press Briefing on Death Penalty Polling Research
When: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: Please contact [email protected] for conference number and ID.
Death Penalty Information Center is a non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. DPIC was founded in 1990 and prepares in-depth reports, issues press releases, conducts briefings for the media, and serves as a resource to those working on this issue. DPIC is widely quoted and consulted by all those concerned with the death penalty.
SOURCE Death Penalty Information Center
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