Yesterday on Campaign Trail with Sophia Reyes
Gallup: Support for the Death Penalty Falls Below 50% for the First Time Since 1971
Just 49% of Americans now approve of capital punishment.
Filed November 10, 2026 · 📍 Washington, DC 20001
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Key points
- Gallup finds 49% of Americans approve of the death penalty
- It is the first time support has fallen below a majority since 1971
- Support has declined for years amid fairness concerns
For the first time in more than half a century, most Americans do not back the death penalty.
A new Gallup survey found just 49% of Americans approve of capital punishment [1]. Al Jazeera reported it is the first time the death penalty has lacked majority support since 1971 [2].
Support has been sliding for years, driven by concerns about fairness and racial bias, Al Jazeera reported [2].
The shift puts pressure on states that still carry out executions, and on prosecutors seeking death sentences in high-profile cases.
Campaign Trail's take: for many Christians this is a question of conscience with deep convictions on both sides, from justice for victims to the sanctity of life. The numbers show the country is still wrestling with it.
Sources
Should the death penalty stay on the books for the worst crimes?
- Yes, for the worst murders
- Only with absolute proof like DNA
- No, life without parole is enough
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