Voters are divided as to whether the Constitutional power of presidents to grant pardons is good or bad for the nation. A Napolitan News survey found that 45% say they are good for America, while 42% say they are bad.
One unusual dynamic on this question is that there is little difference between Republicans and Democrats.
Voters, however, are open to some Constitutional reform.
By a 2-to-1 margin (55% to 27%), voters favor giving Congress, the Supreme Court, or some other agency the ability to review and possibly overturn pardons.
By a 3-to-1 margin (69% to 23%) voters believe some people such as close family members should not be eligible for presidential pardons.
There is no significant partisan gap on these questions either.
There is, however, a divide on whether limits should be placed on presidents issuing pardons during the transition to a new administration.
- Republicans overwhelmingly support such limits by an 81% to 13% margin.
- Democrats are less enthusiastic, but still supportive: 48% favor such limits and 30% are opposed.
- It is reasonable to assume that the partisan numbers would be flipped if the partisan dynamics of the current situation were reversed.
The Napolitan News Service surveys of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen January 7-8, 2024. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1.
