The ACLU of Ohio and Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE) released a statewide public opinion poll of voters’ views on capital punishment, and the results show that a strong majority of Ohioans support repealing the death penalty.

Key findings include:

  • 59% support replacing the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of parole. About half strongly support
  • 59% of households with a member employed in criminal justice are supportive of a death penalty repeal.
  • 54% of respondents chose a life sentence instead of the death penalty when asked what punishment is preferred for 1st degree murder.
  • 69% of Democrats and 53% of Republicans support death penalty repeal, highlighting the bipartisan nature of this issue.