While the new term for the United Staes Supreme Court begins today, Americans are very divided in their opinion of the nations highest court. While the overall opinion of the court seems to have recovered a little from the June ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, just as many Americans approve (41%) as disapprove (43%) of how the Court is handling its job, this is based on a Economist/YouGov poll. This is far more positive than in June when 49% of Americans disapproved of the Court.
The Court has a 6-3 conservative majority throughout the Biden presidency. Public opinion was highest at the start of the Biden Administration when the Court rejected multiple attempts to overturn the 2020 election at the behest of former President Trump. 52% of Democrats approved of the Court then, compared to 38% of Republicans. Now, in a post Roe world, 32% of Democrats approve, while 63% of Republicans do.
Gender also divides opinion of the Court, at the start of September, 59% of Women disapproved the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to an Economist/YouGov poll, just 29% approved. Men approved 48% to 42%. Women are 13% more likely than men to say abortion is a “very important” issue.
Many Americans say the Court is conservative, 43%. Far more than the combined group who say its liberal (10%) or moderate (27%). Most Republicans call themselves conservatives, but more than half of them will say the Court isn’t. 2 in 5 Republicans (38%) say the Court is moderate in its ideology, while 14% say it’s liberal.