Polls

Polling of voters, business leaders and judges themselves shows overwhelming concern about the impact of special interest money on the integrity of American courts. To read more polls, click here.

94% of Americans agree with the statement, “We need strong courts that are free from political influence.”

Source: Justice at Stake
2005 national poll

76% of all voters believe campaign contributions affect a judge’s courtroom decisions.

Source: Justice at Stake
January 2001 national poll

84% believe that all contributions to a judicial candidate should be "quickly disclosed and posted to a web site."

Source: Justice at Stake
October 2011 national poll

95% say judges should remove themselves from cases involving campaign contributors (77% believe it is “very important” judges avoid such cases.)   
 
78% are “very” or “somewhat” concerned that judicial candidates must raise more money, run television advertising, and potentially seek party and political interest group support. 

Source: Justice at Stake
January 2008 poll of Minnesota citizens

97% of all elected state Supreme Court justices said they are under a “great deal” of, or some pressure to raise money during their election years. More than 90% of all elected judges said they are under pressure to raise money in election years.

Source: Justice at Stake
2001 national poll of state and local judges

79% of business leaders believe that campaign contributions made to judges have at least some influence on their decisions in the courtroom.

90% of business leaders are concerned that campaign contributions and political pressure will make judges accountable to politicians and special interest groups instead of the law and the Constitution.

Source: Committee for Economic Development
2007 national poll of business leaders

81% believe judges should not decide motions asking them to step aside, believing that other neutral jurists should make that call.

Source: Harris Interactive and Justice at Stake
2009 national poll

More than 90% believe judges should not hear cases involving individuals or groups that contributed to their campaign.

Source: USA Today/Gallup
2009 national poll