New Gallup data shows that support for the death penalty is at it’s lowest level in nearly fourty years. But that still means Americans are for it, by in large. 61 percent in the poll support the death penalty against 35 percent against.
From Gallup: “The Oct. 6-9 poll was conducted shortly after the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia, which generated widespread protests and extensive news coverage. This could help explain the slight drop in support for the death penalty this year. However, there have been high-profile executions in the news in previous years without concomitant drops in death penalty support, making it less clear that such events have a direct impact on attitudes.”
