Marquette Law School Poll to release national polls between June 24 – July 9 with special topics capturing American life at the 250th anniversary

The Marquette Law School Poll will release the results of an expanded national survey in four parts, measuring public opinion on political issues and the state of the nation, as well as an innovative and in-depth national survey providing insight into the lives of Americans at the country's 250th anniversary, June 24-25, July 7, and July 9.

The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is cause for celebration and appreciation of the history of the United States. It also provides special reason to look at Americans today - what we value, how we spend our time, whom we connect with, and a wealth of related questions.

An innovative and in-depth national survey by the Marquette Law School Poll will provide insight into the lives of Americans, with a set of releases in coming weeks. This round of work by the highly regarded poll will capture public opinion on political issues and the state of the nation, which have been the poll's traditional focus. But it will also survey confidence in institutions and expand into examining other social trends and issues, such as trust in people, how people interact with others, and the role of religion in people's lives.

June 24: This release will concern presidential approval, the November congressional elections, and political engagement and likelihood of voting. Special items concern pride in the United States and how well the country has achieved the goals of the founders, along with the outlook for the future. The poll also looks at what Americans today think of the founders.

June 25: The results will be released on confidence in a wide range of institutions in American society, ranging from the federal government and agencies to state government, colleges, medical providers, the media, and more.

July 7: The findings will focus on interpersonal trust and relations with other people. Previous surveys by the Marquette Law School Poll have found large generational differences in trust in others. This new inquiry casts the net in such a way as to cover trust in people close to us, in neighbors, and in strangers. Related inquiries include how Americans interact with other people and where they make these connections. How often do people start conversations with a stranger in a line, for example, and how often do they turn to their phones when around other people?

July 9: This release concerns family and generations as well as the role of religion. How often do people have contact with their adult children or grandchildren or provide care for parents or grandparents? The poll also looks at the role of religion in people's lives when they were young, that role now, how other family members participate in religious activities, and the role of religion in children's lives today.

The written releases and corresponding data will be distributed and made available on the stated dates at 1 a.m. ET, on the Marquette Law School Poll website. Embargoed written releases of these national survey results will be available to members of the media who formally register their interest in advance online and agree to stated embargo policies. Reporters who have registered for previous embargoes do not need to register again.

Interviews with Poll Director Charles Franklin following the releases are available on request by contacting Kevin Conway at [email protected].

The Marquette Law School Poll has achieved considerable acclaim for its surveys of both Wisconsin and the nation more generally. Launched in 2012, it has become the most extensive statewide polling project in Wisconsin history, setting the standard for measuring public opinion in the state. Since 2019, the Law School's surveys of national public opinion about the U.S. Supreme Court and selected political issues have expanded the work of the poll both geographically and topically.

This work has been nationally recognized for its accuracy and transparency. Among more than 500 pollsters across the United States, for example, the Marquette Law School Poll has been ranked second by Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin. FiveThirtyEight.com ranked the poll third, also giving it the nation's only perfect 10 score for transparency.

Charles Franklin has directed the poll since its inception in 2012. A professor of law and public policy at Marquette Law School, Franklin also served on the ABC News election night Decision Desk from 2002 to 2020. He is a past president of the Society for Political Methodology and an elected fellow of the society; he holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan.