Tables

Question P1:  Before now, have you ever heard the expression "legislating from the bench"?
N=601 All Democrats Independents Republicans
  Yes 62% 58 63 69
  No* 36% 39 36 30
  Don't know/ref.(vol)   2%   2   1   1

 [*Enter “nothing at all” for P1B; Skip to P3]

Question P1B: How much have you heard or read about the practice of "legislating from the bench"... READ?
N=601 All Democrats Independents Republicans
  A great deal 17% 15 14 24
  Some 19% 19 20 20
  Just a little 22% 21 27 21
  Nothing at all 41% 45 39 35
  Don't know/ref. (vol)   1%      

Question: P2. In your opinion, in general, how serious a problem is it that federal courts legislate from the bench?
N=372 All Dem Ind Rep Con Mod Lib
  Very Serious 40% 34 30 54 50 26 39
  Somewhat serious 35% 36 45 27 34 46 26
  Not so serious 10% 12   8   7   5 11 16
  Not a problem at all   6%   7   5   5   3   6   9
  Don't know/ref. (vol) 10% 11 12   7   7 11 11

Question: P3: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts "legislate from the bench"...[READ]?
N=372 All Dem Ind Rep Con Mod Lib
  Very Serious 33% 22 31 49 44 27 24
  Somewhat serious 33% 36 38 26 32 33 33
  Not so serious 12% 14 15   8   7 20 11
  Not a problem at all   5%   9   5   3   1   4 14
  Don't know/ref. (vol) 16% 19 12 14 16 16 18

[ROTATE P4a – P4c]

Question: P4a: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts rule on the basis of what their political party wants …READ]?
N=601 All Dem. Ind. Rep. Con Mod Lib.
  Very Serious 59% 55 61 64 57 59 64
  Somewhat serious 21% 23 19 20 22 22 18
  Not so serious    6%   7  7   6   7   7   5
  Not a problem at all    5%   6  3   3   5   4   4
  Don't know/ref. (vol)    8%   8 10   7   8   7   7

Question: P4b: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts make rulings that affect people far beyond those who brought the case to court …READ]?
N=601 All Dem. Ind. Rep. Con. Mod. Lib.
  Very Serious 38% 34 44 42 43 34 36
  Somewhat serious 31% 34 27 27 28 34 31
  Not so serious   9% 11   7   9   7 11 11
  Not a problem at all   7%   9   4   6   6   7   9
  Don't know/ref. (vol) 16% 13 18 16 15 14 14

Question: P4c: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts over-rule elected representatives …READ]?
N=601 All Dem. Ind. Rep. Con. Mod. Lib.
  Very Serious 30% 28 32 34 38 22 30
  Somewhat serious 31% 32 30 30 29 41 26
  Not so serious 11% 11 10 11 11 11 10
  Not a problem at all 10% 12   9   8   8 10 14
  Don't know/ref. (vol) 18% 17 18 17 14 16 20


see also:

Survey Analysis
Republican Comment
Democratic Comment
Survey Details

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