A new poll conducted by Quinnipiac University finds that American voters choose life without parole over the death penalty 51-37 percent, the first time a majority chose life over death since the poll first asked the question in 2004.
By a much wider margin, 71-21 percent, voters say they are opposed to the death penalty for opioid drug dealers, a proposal endorsed by Donald Trump.
But while these poll numbers are encouraging, the poll also found that, 64-31 percent, voters are opposed to abolishing the death penalty nationwide.
“It’s a mixed message on a question that has moral and religious implications. Voters are perhaps saying, ‘Keep the death penalty, but just don’t use it,'” is how Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, explains the seeming disconnect.
You can read more about the poll here.