Recent polling from Marquette Law School indicates that 45% of American adults approve of the Supreme Court justices' performance, marking a modest increase from previous lows. The approval rating rose by two points since July, while a Gallup survey reports that 48% of the public expresses a significant level of trust in the judicial branch.
This uptick in approval comes as Democrats aim to make the Supreme Court a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections, advocating for reforms such as a binding code of ethics and term limits for justices. The party has intensified criticism of the court following the 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
In response to the polling data, Carrie Severino, president of the Judicial Crisis Network and former clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas, asserted that the findings challenge the prevailing narrative of public distrust towards the Supreme Court.
Gallup's survey categorized the judicial branch as the fourth most trusted institution among ten civil and political entities, contrasting with the federal government and legislative branch, which ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in terms of public distrust.
Following the court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which returned the issue of abortion limits to state jurisdictions, public approval for the Supreme Court had plummeted to historic lows, with only 38% approval recorded between July and December 2022.
The Marquette poll also revealed that 90% of respondents support the implementation of a strict ethics code for justices. However, opinions on the ethical standards of the justices are divided; 27% rate their standards as very high or high, while 35% consider them low or very low.
As the electoral race tightens between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the potential for appointing a new Supreme Court justice remains a critical issue for both parties, with 83% of respondents deeming the selection of the next justice as very or somewhat important.
In contrast, Republican voters prioritize economic stability and immigration, with a recent Gallup survey indicating that these issues rank highest among their concerns.