A new survey conducted by Marquette University Law School has highlighted a deep divide in public opinion regarding state efforts to exclude former President Donald Trump from the 2024 election ballots. The poll specifically examined reactions to the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling to disqualify Trump under the 14th Amendment, revealing an equal split between supporters and detractors of the decision.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding whether Trump should be removed from the ballots due to his alleged support for the insurrection on January 6, 2021. However, the justices appeared reluctant to take the step of disqualifying Trump.
The survey found that 31 percent of respondents claimed to have heard very little or nothing about the case, highlighting a lack of awareness among the public. Among those with an opinion, 50 percent favored the Supreme Court overturning the Colorado court’s decision, while the remaining 50 percent opposed the high court overruling the state’s ruling.
The case of Trump’s disqualification gained attention after the top court in Colorado ruled in December that he was ineligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot. The 14th Amendment, designed initially to prevent ex-Confederates from regaining power, has been invoked by anti-Trump voters across the country following the attack on the Capitol to prevent his return to the White House.
Interestingly, the survey also revealed that only 25 percent of respondents expressed a “great deal” of confidence in the Supreme Court, with 35 percent having some confidence and 40 percent having little to no confidence in the institution. These results reflect a broader skepticism towards the court system among the public.
The Supreme Court is currently expediting the case, suggesting a decision could be reached within weeks. Until then, Trump’s name will remain on ballots nationwide. With his status as the GOP front-runner, he is expected to face President Joe Biden in the upcoming general election.
The survey, conducted between February 5 and 15, involved 1,003 adults and has a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points.
