Wisconsin Survey
Spring 2006
Death Penalty
Survey Information:
Number of Adult Wisconsin Resident Respondents: 400
Interview Period: March 29 – April 7, 2006
Margin of Error: +/- 5% at the 95% confidence level.
Contact:
Wendy Scattergood
Assistant Professor of Political Science, St. Norbert College Survey Center
DePere, WI 54115
(920) 403-3491
wendy.scattergood@snc.edu
The Wisconsin Senate has proposed an advisory referendum to ask voters whether they would support the death penalty for a person convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, if the homicide is vicious and the conviction is supported by DNA evidence. Under these circumstances, would you be in favor of or opposed to the death penalty in Wisconsin.
Favor........................................................................... 61%
Opposed...................................................................... 33%
Not Sure...................................................................... 5%
Refused....................................................................... 1%
In the spring of 2005, we asked a more general question about the death penalty. The wording of that question did not include calling the homicide “vicious” or that DNA evidence is necessary. It asked respondents whether they favored or opposed the death penalty for “premeditated murder.” The language was changed for the Spring 2006 survey to reflect the language now being used in Senate Joint Resolution 5, which if passed by the Assembly will be on the September 2006 primary ballots.
In Spring of 2005, 51% said they approved of the death penalty in cases of “premeditated murder.”
Percentage Within Demographic Group That Support the Death Penalty as Described Above
|
Percent in Favor of the Death Penalty
|
Registered Voters
|
61%
|
Democrats
|
50%
|
Republicans
|
69%
|
Independents
|
64%
|
Other Party
|
72%
|
Age
|
|
18-24
|
38%
|
25-34
|
87%
|
35-44
|
57%
|
45-54
|
69%
|
55-64
|
56%
|
65+
|
58%
|
Education
|
|
< High School
|
40%
|
High School
|
67%
|
Some College/ Technical Degree
|
65%
|
College Degree
|
66%
|
Graduate Degree
|
36%
|
Income
|
|
<$15,000/year
|
45%
|
$15,000-$25,000
|
62%
|
$26,000-$35,000
|
66%
|
$36,000-$50,000
|
69%
|
$51,000-$75,000
|
69%
|
$76,000-$100,000
|
60%
|
>$100,000
|
44%
|
Gender
|
|
Male
|
68%
|
Female
|
55%
|
