New Poll Shows Wisconsinites Overwhelmingly Want Sen. Ron Johnson to Do His Job, Hold Fair Hearing, Timely Vote on U.S. Supreme Court Nominee

MADISON, Wis. — New polling finds overwhelming support among Wisconsin voters for holding fair hearings and a timely vote on Judge Merrick Garland, the President’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. One Wisconsin Institute, a member of the Why Courts Matter coalition in Wisconsin, today released the results of a statewide survey gauging public opinion on the unprecedented obstruction and potential consequences of Senate Republicans, including Ron Johnson, refusing to do their jobs on the nominee to the nation’s highest court.

“The people of Wisconsin overwhelmingly support timely hearings and a fair vote on Judge Garland’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court,” commented One Wisconsin Institute Executive Director Scot Ross. “The poll shows the people of Wisconsin know what’s at stake and who is behind the unprecedented political power play Republicans are perpetrating on our judicial system.”

The poll of 600 Wisconsin voters was sponsored by the Center for American Progress and conducted by GBA Strategies from April 21-24. Key findings from the survey include:

• Sixty-four percent think the U.S. Senate should hold hearings and then have an up-or-down confirmation vote on Judge Garland;
• A plurality of voters further believe the U.S. Senate should confirm Judge Garland;
• Fifty-eight percent of voters oppose the Senate Republican leadership obstructionism, and 64 percent of voters further believe political reasons are why the U.S. Senate is refusing to do its job on the nomination; and
• After hearing arguments from both sides, over 60 percent of Wisconsin voters still support a timely hearing and fair vote on the nomination of Judge Garland.

In addition, voters expressed serious concerns about the impact of the Supreme Court vacancy on their lives, especially on issues of protecting voting rights and participation in the political process; ensuring equal treatment for all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation; and providing a check and balance on the powers of Congress and the President.

Ross concluded, “The people of Wisconsin aren’t buying the excuses for delays and obstructionism. Wisconsinites know our courts matter and their message is clear — it’s time for Sen. Johnson to stop supporting the political power play of his Washington D.C. leadership and to start doing his job.”

One Wisconsin Institute is a member of the Why Courts Matter Coalition focused on ensuring that the federal judiciary is representative of America’s diverse population and ending the judicial vacancy crisis.