Poll: Voters Support Death Penalty, Raising Minimum Wage

A new poll from Quinnipiac University finds that most voters in Connecticut support the death penalty – and even more would like to see the minimum wage raised.   

Voters support capital punishment 62-30, but people are split on the preferred punishment for murderers. Half prefer the death penalty while half prefer life in prison. The majority think the recent decision to get rid of the death penalty in Connecticut is a “bad idea.”  

"The death penalty is a complex issue for voters, and for pollsters," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD, in a press release. "Connecticut voters want to keep the death penalty, perhaps as an option for the most heinous crimes, such as the Cheshire murders."

"While they want to keep the death penalty on the books, voters are divided on whether they prefer to sentence convicted murderers to death or life without parole. In fact, 74 percent say a life or death sentence depends on the circumstances of the case," Schwartz added. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office issued a statement in response to the poll.

"We have tried to be consistent in not saying much about polls because...what's there to say?" said  Roy Occhiogrosso, senior advisor to the governor. "Polls come and go, numbers go up and down. The Governor always does what he thinks is best for the state and the right thing to do."

Minimum Wage

The poll finds that the overwhelming majority support raising Connecticut’s $8.25 minimum wage – even though most believe it will cause small business owners to hire fewer people.

Overall, there was 70-28 support of boosting the wage. Democrats support it 88-10, while Republicans are opposed 48-50. Independents fall in the middle, with 69-28 supporting the idea.

"Every group, except Republicans, supports increasing Connecticut's minimum wage. Although all income groups support a higher minimum wage, support declines with income," said Schwartz.

Fifty percent of the people polled think small businesses will employ fewer people if the minimum wage is increased. Forty-five percent think otherwise.

Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,745 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points from April 18-23.