Supporters of the death penalty think it is morally justified for crimes like murder
Among those who oppose/favor the death penalty, % who say …
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 6-12, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Supporters of the death penalty think it is morally justified for crimes like murder
Among those who oppose/favor the death penalty, % who say …
| Group | Topic | Favor death penalty | Oppose death penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | The death penalty does deter people from committing serious crimes | 50 | 17 |
| Rep/Lean Rep | The death penalty does deter people from committing serious crimes | 59 | 33 |
| Dem/Lean Dem | The death penalty does deter people from committing serious crimes | 38 | 12 |
| Total | When someone commits a crime like murder, the death penalty is morally justified | 90 | 26 |
| Rep/Lean Rep | When someone commits a crime like murder, the death penalty is morally justified | 94 | 38 |
| Dem/Lean Dem | When someone commits a crime like murder, the death penalty is morally justified | 86 | 24 |
| Total | White people and Black people are equally like to be sentenced to the death penalty for committing similar crimes | 60 | 24 |
| Rep/Lean Rep | White people and Black people are equally like to be sentenced to the death penalty for committing similar crimes | 81 | 61 |
| Dem/Lean Dem | White people and Black people are equally like to be sentenced to the death penalty for committing similar crimes | 32 | 13 |
| Total | There are adequate safeguards to ensure that no innocent peorson will be put to death | 32 | 11 |
| Rep/Lean Rep | There are adequate safeguards to ensure that no innocent peorson will be put to death | 42 | 19 |
| Dem/Lean Dem | There are adequate safeguards to ensure that no innocent peorson will be put to death | 19 | 9 |
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 6-12, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
