Eight in 10 Americans believe it is a priority to appoint Supreme Court justices who will interpret the Constitution as originally written, according to a new Marist Poll sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
Of the 80 percent who say it is important, here are the results who call it an "immediate priority:"
- 56 percent overall.
- 80 percent of Republicans.
- 53 percent of Independents.
- 42 percent of Democrats.
Further, 89 percent of Americans say protecting religious liberty is also a priority, including 57 percent who call it an "immediate priority:"
- Republicans 74 percent.
- Independents 63 percent.
- Democrats 60 percent.
"Majorities of Americans — regardless of party — have embraced religious freedom and have rightly rejected the false notion that it is something negative. They overwhelming support the protection of our first freedom, the free exercise of religion," Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said in the release.
"And not surprisingly, most Americans value the freedoms enumerated in the Constitution and its Bill of Rights, and therefore see as an immediate priority the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court who will interpret the document as written."
The survey of 2,729 adults was conducted Dec. 12 -19, 2016, by The Marist Poll, sponsored and funded in partnership with The Knights of Columbus.
Results are statistically significant within +/- 1.9 percentage points.
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