AP/Ipsos Poll: Americans Say New Supreme Court Nominees Should Uphold Roe V. Wade

Washington, DC -- The latest Associated Press/Ipsos-Public Affairs survey finds that by a two-to-one margin, Americans say that any future Supreme Court justices nominated by President Bush should uphold (59%) rather than overturn (31%) Roe v. Wade. The belief that new justices should uphold Roe v. Wade is strongest among younger women (65% of those under age 45), women with some college experience (66%) or a degree (67%), residents of the western U.S. (68%, and 72% in the Pacific region), unmarried men (67%) and women (66%), and Catholics (66%). Three-quarters of Democrats (74%) prefer justices who would preserve Roe v. Wade, and Republicans are fairly evenly divided (43% uphold, 47% overturn). Opinions among white Evangelicals also show division (41% uphold, 52% overturn). A majority (61%) also feel that Supreme Court nominees to publicly state their position on abortion before being confirmed by the Senate; most feel strongly about this. Just over a third (36%) feel nominees should not reveal their position on abortion prior to being approved by the U.S. Senate. Those who want Roe v. Wade upheld (64%) and those who want it overturned (65%) both say future nominees' positions should be publicly stated before being approved. Seven in ten Democrats (69%) say positions should be made public. Republican women (67% should; 30% should not) are more decided than Republican men (42%-48%) about wanting to know candidates' views. Six In Ten Back Mandatory Retirement, Say Court Has Right Amount Of Power Although the Constitution grants Supreme Court justices lifetime tenures, six in ten Americans feel that they should be subject to a mandatory retirement age. Senior citizens (72% of those 65 and over) are the most consistent supporters of mandatory retirement. Six in ten (62%) say the Supreme Court has "the right amount of power;" a quarter (23%) say it is too powerful. There isn't much difference between Republicans, Democrats and Independents on this issue. However, opponents of Roe v. Wade (33%) are more likely than the ruling's supporters (20%) to say the Court has too much power. Four in ten Americans are able to identify William Rehnquist as either Chief Justice or a member of the Supreme Court. College graduates (60%) are most often able to identify Rehnquist correctly. Men (47%) are more aware than women (30%) that Rehnquist sits on the Supreme Court. Most adults under age 30 (74%) and those with up to a high school education (77%; including 88% of non-college women) "don't know" who Rehnquist is. Six In Ten Oppose Gay Marriage; Young Adults More Accepting Overall, 61% of Americans say they oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. Attitudes toward gay marriage appear to be evolving. Among under-30s, as many support (48%) as oppose (48%) granting this right, and people in their thirties are nearly as supportive. Opposition is strongest among those aged 65 and over. Support for gay marriage is also more common among college graduates (45%) - and especially female (50%) over male (41%) grads, residents of cities (48%), people on the West Coast (52%), and Democrats (55%). Proportionately more Catholics (38%) than Protestants (23%) accept the idea of gay marriage. Opposition to allowing gays and lesbians to marry is highest among the less educated (74%), Southerners (74%), rural residents (72%) and Republicans (85%). In addition, most (86%) of those who prefer overturning Roe v. Wade also oppose legal marriage for gays and lesbians. The Associated Press Poll is conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Between November 19-21, 2004, the AP-Ipsos poll interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 for all adults. Margin of error for subgroups may be higher. To view the complete filled-in questionnaire for this survey, please download the Topline Results PDF at the top of this page. For more information on this press release, please contact: Janice Bell Director, Ipsos Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 202.463.7300 About Ipsos Public Affairs Ipsos Public Affairs, headquartered in Washington D.C., is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research company made up of campaign and political polling veterans as well as seasoned research professionals. The company conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research but often elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research. It has offices in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, with affiliates around the world. Ipsos Public Affairs conducts national and international public opinion polling on behalf of The Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest news organization, and conducts the young voters poll for Newsweek.com. Ipsos Public Affairs is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-na.com/news/pa About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and reactions of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. 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