U.S. Death Penalty Support Falls to 49% Following Pike Execution

Botched execution of Christa Pike precedes polling

The Gallup survey began on the day after a failed execution attempt involving Tennessee death-row inmate Christa Pike. This botched procedure prompted the state’s governor to pause all executions while an investigation is conducted.

Political and age-based divides in death penalty views

National support for capital punishment has fallen below 50 per cent due to sharp declines among Democrats and younger adults. Only 28 per cent of Democrats now favour the death penalty, a drop of 28 percentage points since 2000 and 47 points from a 1994 peak. Support among independents is at 50 per cent, reflecting an 18-point decrease since 2000 and a 29-point fall since 1994.

Republican support sits at 73 per cent, which is one of the lowest levels recorded for the group, though it has typically hovered around 80 per cent since the 1990s. The party gap in support is currently 45 points, significantly wider than the 25-point average observed between 1990 and 2015.

Only 39 per cent of those under age 30 support capital punishment.

In 2000, support was 61 per cent among 18- to 29-year-olds, 67 per cent among those aged 30 to 49, and 71 per cent among those aged 50 and older. A 2024 Gallup analysis indicated that older Democrats and independents have become less supportive over time, whereas support among older Republicans has remained stable.

Historical context of U.S. execution sentiment

Gallup first measured public opinion on the death penalty in 1936, when 59 per cent of Americans were in favour and 38 per cent were opposed.

Following a 1972 United States Supreme Court ruling that deemed state death penalty laws unconstitutional, states revised their statutes. Executions resumed in 1977.

Support for capital punishment reached 66 per cent in 1977. It remained at 60 per cent or higher for four decades before dropping to 55 per cent in 2017.

Current legal status of capital punishment in states

Capital punishment remains a legal penalty in 27 United States states, at the federal level, in American Samoa, and for certain military offences. The penalty has been abolished in 23 states and Washington, D.C..

In jurisdictions where it remains legal, the death penalty is constitutionally permitted only for murder. Of the 27 states where the practice is legal, 21 possess the authority to execute death sentences.

The remaining six states are currently subject to moratoriums.

Background on Gallup polling organization

Gallup, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 1935. The firm maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C..

The organisation provides workplace advisory services and global analytics, specialising in employee engagement, organisational culture, and talent identification. It is classified in the Business Consulting and Services industry.

The firm holds SIC codes 87 and 873, along with NAICS codes 54 and 541. It currently has 335,994 followers on LinkedIn.