Support for Alternatives to the Death Penalty in Nevada

Public Opinion Research Summary

KEY FINDINGS

A recent survey among likely November 2022 voters in Nevada shows strong support for alternatives to
the death penalty. The survey findings show that likely voters in Nevada:

❖ Prefer life sentences over the death penalty for persons convicted of first degree murder
❖ Feel strongly that the cost savings from the death penalty should be redirected to other
priorities

✔ By a 17-point margin, a majority of Nevada voters chose some version of a life sentence as the
most appropriate punishment for people convicted of first-degree murder over the death penalty.

o This question was asked before introducing any outside information on the death penalty.

o A majority of voters (53%) say the most appropriate penalty is either life in prison with the
possibility of parole after either 20 or 40 years, or life with absolutely no possibility of
parole. 11% are unsure, showing further openness to alternatives to the death penalty.

o It is striking that only 36% of Nevada voters choose the death penalty.

o After hearing information about the death penalty, 58% choose some version of a life
sentence, while just 32% choose the death penalty.

✔ Nevadans support the legislature replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison
without parole. There is particularly strong support among Democrats and Independents.

o When this question was asked before introducing the factual information on the death
penalty, we found Nevadans support the Legislature replacing the death penalty with a
sentence of life in prison without parole, 49 to 46. Among Democrats, 69% support this
proposal, as do 51% of Independents.

o After hearing factual information about the proposal, support increases further to 54%
overall, while just 41% oppose -- a 13 point margin. Among Independent women, support
moves from 49% to 60%.
✔ Likely voters say, when it comes to public safety, that it is most important to fund mental health
crisis response and treatment (27%). The second most important item named is job training and
placement programs for people released from prison (19%). Republicans, Democrats, and
Independents each name these two items as their most important public safety priorities.

o Other public safety priorities listed were community-based violence prevention (named by
12% of likely voters as the most important to fund), counseling and other support for
families of murder victims (8%), trauma recovery and other services for victims (8%), and
investigating unsolved crimes (8%).

o Only 5% of voters say it important to fund ‘prisons and jails’, which is named by only 5% of
Republicans, 3% of Democrats and 7% of Independents.

Survey Methodology

David Binder Research (DBR) conducted a survey of 500 likely November 2022 voters between January
14th and 17th, in English and Spanish, with a margin of error of ±4.4%. Voters were interviewed by cell
phone, landline, and online (text to web). Voters were selected based on prior vote history and screened
to determine if they are likely to participate in the November 2022 election.

About David Binder Research

David Binder Research (DBR) provides research and insight to political, government, non-profit and
private sector clients on a range of social and controversial issues, as well as for political candidates and
ballot measure campaigns. DBR has significant experience conducting quantitative and qualitative
research in Nevada, and has worked on numerous projects exploring attitudes on a variety of criminal
justice issues.

DBR been part of teams to help elect a significant number of past and current elected officials, ranging
from President Barack Obama to local city and County elected officials throughout the nation. DBR is
also proud to work with Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, including her prior campaigns for U.S.
Senate, California Attorney General and San Francisco District Attorney.