Americans Divided on Supreme Court Decision Limiting Use of Race in College Admissions: New Poll

According to a recent poll conducted by ABC News/Ipsos, the majority of Americans support the Supreme Court's ruling that restricts the use of race as a factor in college admissions. However, the survey also reveals a growing divide on other significant court rulings and a perception of the court being influenced by political considerations rather than the law.

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Support for Supreme Court Decision:

Of the Americans surveyed, 52% expressed approval for the Supreme Court decision limiting the use of race in college admissions. In contrast, 32% disagreed with the ruling, while 16% remained uncertain. The poll further highlighted contrasting viewpoints among political affiliations, with 75% of Republicans and 58% of independents favoring the decision, whereas only 26% of Democrats supported it.

Racial Divide:

The poll revealed significant divisions among racial groups regarding the Supreme Court's decision. While 60% of white individuals and 58% of Asian individuals approved of the ruling, only 25% of Black individuals expressed support. Hispanic individuals displayed a split opinion, with 40% approving and 40% disapproving of the decision.

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Perception of Fairness:

Despite the majority supporting the end of affirmative action in college admissions, many Americans still believe that Black and Hispanic students face an unfair disadvantage compared to their white and Asian counterparts. Around two-thirds of respondents stated that white and Asian students have a fair chance of gaining admission to their preferred colleges, whereas only 47% believed the same for Black students, and 50% for Hispanic students.

Growing Perception of Political Influence:

As the Supreme Court concludes its term and enters the summer break, the survey indicated that 53% of Americans believe that the court's decisions are primarily driven by partisan political views rather than adherence to the law. In comparison, 33% still believe that the court's rulings are based on legal considerations, while 14% remain uncertain. Democrats (76%) and independents (51%) were more likely to view the court as politically motivated, while only 36% of Republicans held the same belief.

Shift in Views:

Comparing the findings to a January 2022 poll, it is evident that public opinion has shifted. Previously, 38% of Americans believed that the Supreme Court primarily bases its decisions on the law, while 43% believed the court's rulings were influenced by political views.

Additional Court Decisions:

The survey also examined public sentiment on other recent Supreme Court decisions. One such ruling involved the striking down of President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program, which garnered support from 45% of Americans, while 40% disagreed with the decision. The response varied significantly based on political affiliation, with only 17% of Democrats in favor compared to 71% of Republicans and 49% of Independents.

Similarly, the court's decision on whether creative businesses can refuse to serve LGBTQ+ customers, citing free speech under the First Amendment, was met with mixed opinions. Approximately 43% of respondents approved of the ruling, while 42% disapproved, and 14% remained undecided. The opinion on this decision also varied based on political alignment, with 15% of Democrats approving compared to 68% of Republicans and 49% of Independents.

Conclusion: The ABC News/Ipsos poll highlights the majority support for the Supreme Court's decision to limit the use of race in college admissions. However, it also indicates divisions based on political affiliations and racial backgrounds. Furthermore, the survey suggests an increasing perception that the court's rulings are driven by political considerations, rather than purely adhering to the law.

Also Read: US Supreme Court Invalidates Biden Administration's Proposal for Student Loan Debt Forgiveness