Summary
This report summarizes public reaction in Wisconsin to the death of George Floyd in police custody in May and to the mass protests that followed. The report is based on Marquette Law School Poll data collected in June and August 2020, with some questions also asked in earlier surveys. The shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha WI in August, and subsequent protests and disturbances occurred after the August poll was completed.
In the tables by race Black or Hispanic respondents are combined in order to have sufficient cases to present reliable percentage results. While Black and Hispanic views are not always identical, the percentages are fairly close in these data so that combining the categories does not distort the substantive results. The margin of error for the combined Black or Hispanic group is +/- 13.1 percentage points in June and +/- 14 percentage points in August. For white respondents the margin of error is +/- 4.7 percentage points in June and +/- 4.2 percentage points in August.
Approval of protests
In June approval of protests was widespread, with 61 percent approving of the protests and 36 percent disapproving. Approval declined in August with 48 percent approving and 48 percent disapproving.
Approval remained strong among Black or Hispanic respondents and in the City of Milwaukee, but declined among white respondents and in the four media-market regions of the state outside the city of Milwaukee. Approval also declined in each of five urban-suburban categories including cities, suburbs, exurbs, small towns and rural areas. In August more respondents approved than disapproved in cities. Suburban areas, which were substantially net positive in June, became net negative on approval in August, though not as negative as exurban, small towns or rural areas. Net approval also declined across all three categories of party identification, with the largest declines among Republicans.
Favorable and unfavorable views of the Black Lives Matter movement
Overall more Wisconsin respondents have a favorable rather than unfavorable view of the Black Lives Matter movement. In June 59 percent were favorable and 27 percent were unfavorable. In August favorable views declined though a plurality held favorable views, 49 percent favorable to 37 percent unfavorable.
Black or Hispanic respondents maintained a strongly favorable view while white respondents views became much less favorable, with 47 percent favorable and 40 percent unfavorable in August. Net favorability declined in all media markets of the state except for the city of Milwaukee. Net favorability slightly increased in principal cities, but declined in suburbs, exurbs, small towns and rural areas. Favorability declined in all partisan groups, though substantially with Republicans and modestly with Democrats.
Protests seen as mostly peaceful or mostly violent
In August, the only time asked, a plurality of 48 percent said the protests had been mostly peaceful while 41 percent said they had been mostly violent.
There were substantial differences in perception between Black or Hispanic respondents, 65 percent of whom said “mostly peaceful” and white respondents, 47 who said the same. Twenty-one percent of Black or Hispanic respondents said “mostly violent” while 42 percent of white respondents said “mostly violent.” While the balance of opinion varies, only in the north and western part of the state (“rest of the state”) did more say “mostly violent” than “mostly peaceful”. Those living in cities or suburbs on balance saw the protests as peaceful (barely so in the suburbs) while those in exurbs, small towns and rural areas more saw the protests as mostly violent. Partisans are sharply split in perceptions of the protests with Republicans much more likely to see violent protests, independents seeing more peaceful protests and Democrats much more likely to perceive the protests as peaceful.
Favorable or unfavorable views of the police
Wisconsin respondents are extremely favorable toward the police, including 44 percent of Black or Hispanic respondents and 78 percent of white respondents in the June and August data combined.
There was a small increase in favorable views of the police between June and August, with increases across almost all groups and geographies. Small declines in the north and west and in exurbs occurred in groups with very high favorability in both months.
Feeling safe or anxious about the police
In August 2016 and in June 2020 we asked if the police made respondents feel mostly safe or mostly anxious. There was very little change in this measure over the four years. Racial differences are substantial in both years, with 57 percent of Black or Hispanic respondents saying mostly safe and 36 percent saying mostly anxious. Among white respondents 90 percent said mostly safe and 36 percent said mostly anxious.
Police use of deadly force
Asked if the police are too willing to use deadly force, asked in June only, 42 percent said yes while 51 percent said no. Racial differences are large on this question, with 70 percent of Black or Hispanic respondents saying yes while 38 percent of white respondents said the same. In the city of Milwaukee and in the Madison media market more say the police are too willing to use deadly force while majorities in all other regions say they are not. Only in principal cities does a small plurality say police are too willing. Partisan differences are quite strong.
Are police killings of Black Americans isolated incidents or a larger pattern?
In Wisconsin a small plurality, 48 percent, say police killings of Black Americans are part of a larger pattern of behavior, while 44 percent say they are isolated incidents. (This contrasts with a national Washington Post poll in June that found 29 percent saying isolated incident and 69 percent broader problem. A June ABC-Ipsos national poll found 26 percent saying isolated incident and 74 percent saying a broader problem.)
In the Wisconsin poll the racial difference in perception is especially stark with 79 percent of Black or Hispanic respondents saying “larger problem” and 17 percent saying “isolated incident”. Among white respondents 47 percent said “isolated incident” and 44 percent said it is a “larger problem”.
Residents of the city of Milwaukee and the Madison media market are substantially more likely to see a larger problem while opinion is closely divided elsewhere. Those living in exurbs and rural areas are substantially more likely to say these are isolated incidents with the reverse in principal cities. Suburbs and small towns are more evenly divided. Partisan differences are especially large on this item.
Defunding the police
Large majorities oppose calls to defund the police. In June a bare majority (51 percent) of Black or Hispanic respondents supported defunding but this reversed in August with a larger majority opposed. In no region of the state does a majority support defunding and no partisan group has majority support.
Reform police and increase accountability
Unlike defunding, there is overwhelming support to “restructure the role of the police and require greater accountability for police misconduct.” Eighty-one percent support restructuring, with 16 percent opposed. These large majorities hold across racial, geographic and political divides, including support by two-thirds of Republicans.
How serious a problem is prejudice against Black people
In January 2020 and again in June we asked “How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today?” There is considerable variation in the net opinion comparing “very serious” with those saying “not so serious” or “not a problem at all.” Across all groups the net opinion increased between January and June, with more saying “very serious” and fewer saying “not so serious” or “not a problem.”
Racial differences were substantial in June with a net 68 percent among Black or Hispanic respondents and a net 16 percent among white respondents. All regions of the state were net positive in June, though Green Bay and the rest of the state had been net negative in January. In June, only rural areas were net negative. Republicans were net negative in both January and June, though by half the margin in June (-22 points) as in January (-44 points). Independents were net positive in both months and Democrats very substantially net positive in both months.
Approval of Donald Trump’s response to protests
Evaluation of Trump’s response to the protests is strongly negative across almost all demographic and regional groups. This is his weakest showing, lower than his handing of coronavirus, overall job and of handling the economy. His net approval is very negative among Black or Hispanic respondents but also net negative (-25 points) among white respondents. He is net negative in each of the media markets in the state, and net positive only in isolated rural areas. Republicans are strongly net postie (+44) but independents are net negative at -33 points and Democrats at net -92 in August polling.
Detailed tables
Views of the protests over police killings
We asked: “Do you approve or disapprove of the mass protests that have been held since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis?”
Approval of Black Lives Matter protests, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
25
|
61
|
36
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
0
|
48
|
48
|
3
|
Approval of Black Lives Matter protests by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
22
|
59
|
38
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
White
|
-5
|
45
|
51
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
58
|
77
|
19
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
58
|
78
|
20
|
1
|
Approval of Black Lives Matter protests by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
58
|
78
|
20
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MKE City
|
63
|
80
|
17
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
21
|
58
|
37
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
-4
|
47
|
51
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
35
|
66
|
31
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MSN
|
7
|
50
|
43
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
19
|
58
|
40
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
GB/A
|
-3
|
46
|
49
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
14
|
55
|
41
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of state
|
-20
|
38
|
58
|
3
|
Approval of Black Lives Matter protests by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
42
|
70
|
28
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Principal city
|
33
|
64
|
31
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
25
|
61
|
37
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Suburban core
|
-8
|
45
|
53
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
6
|
50
|
44
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-13
|
43
|
55
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
26
|
63
|
37
|
0
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Small town
|
-22
|
37
|
60
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
10
|
55
|
45
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-28
|
35
|
63
|
2
|
Approval of Black Lives Matter protests by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
-25
|
37
|
61
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Republican
|
-61
|
18
|
80
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
30
|
63
|
33
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Independent
|
1
|
48
|
47
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
71
|
85
|
14
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Democrat
|
59
|
77
|
18
|
4
|
Favorable or unfavorable views of the Black Lives Matter movement
We asked: “I’m going to read you a list of people and groups. Please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of each of them or if you haven’t heard enough about them yet to have an opinion. …The Black Lives Matter movement”
Favorable or unfavorable view of Black Lives Matter movement, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
32
|
59
|
27
|
6
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
12
|
49
|
37
|
10
|
5
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of Black Lives Matter movement by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
28
|
57
|
29
|
7
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
White
|
7
|
47
|
40
|
10
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
69
|
77
|
8
|
10
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
66
|
73
|
7
|
11
|
9
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of Black Lives Matter movement by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
55
|
74
|
18
|
7
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MKE City
|
55
|
71
|
15
|
9
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
26
|
55
|
29
|
8
|
4
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
7
|
47
|
40
|
9
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
42
|
64
|
22
|
4
|
6
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MSN
|
24
|
52
|
28
|
15
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
30
|
56
|
26
|
6
|
8
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
GB/A
|
7
|
46
|
38
|
10
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
25
|
55
|
30
|
7
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of state
|
-1
|
44
|
45
|
7
|
5
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of Black Lives Matter movement by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
39
|
64
|
25
|
5
|
4
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Principal city
|
41
|
61
|
20
|
12
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
36
|
60
|
24
|
9
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Suburban core
|
8
|
48
|
40
|
7
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
28
|
59
|
31
|
5
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-1
|
42
|
42
|
13
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
32
|
64
|
32
|
1
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Small town
|
2
|
48
|
46
|
3
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-4
|
36
|
41
|
7
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-15
|
36
|
51
|
10
|
3
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of Black Lives Matter movement by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
-16
|
32
|
49
|
10
|
6
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Republican
|
-56
|
15
|
71
|
10
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
32
|
58
|
26
|
7
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Independent
|
15
|
50
|
35
|
8
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
86
|
91
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Democrat
|
79
|
82
|
3
|
10
|
4
|
Have protests been mostly peaceful or mostly violent
In August, but not in June, we asked “Do you think the protests have been mostly peaceful or mostly violent?”
Do you think the protests have been mostly peaceful or mostly violent?, August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Mostly peaceful
|
Mostly violent
|
Some of both
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
7
|
48
|
41
|
8
|
2
|
Do you think the protests have been mostly peaceful or mostly violent? by race, August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Mostly peaceful
|
Mostly violent
|
Some of both
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
White
|
5
|
47
|
42
|
8
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
44
|
65
|
21
|
14
|
1
|
Do you think the protests have been mostly peaceful or mostly violent? by region, August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Mostly peaceful
|
Mostly violent
|
Some of both
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MKE City
|
37
|
62
|
25
|
10
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
5
|
46
|
41
|
10
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MSN
|
15
|
53
|
38
|
7
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
GB/A
|
14
|
53
|
40
|
5
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of state
|
-11
|
40
|
50
|
7
|
3
|
Do you think the protests have been mostly peaceful or mostly violent? by urban-rural, August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Mostly peaceful
|
Mostly violent
|
Some of both
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Principal city
|
37
|
62
|
26
|
10
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Suburban core
|
5
|
49
|
44
|
6
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-11
|
37
|
48
|
9
|
4
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Small town
|
-11
|
40
|
52
|
8
|
0
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-30
|
29
|
59
|
7
|
2
|
Do you think the protests have been mostly peaceful or mostly violent? August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Mostly peaceful
|
Mostly violent
|
Some of both
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Republican
|
-49
|
19
|
68
|
11
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Independent
|
12
|
51
|
38
|
8
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Democrat
|
59
|
76
|
17
|
5
|
2
|
Favorable or unfavorable views of the police
We asked: “I’m going to read you a list of people and groups. Please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of each of them or if you haven’t heard enough about them yet to have an opinion. …The police”
Favorable or unfavorable view of the police, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
54
|
72
|
18
|
3
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
63
|
76
|
13
|
5
|
6
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of the police by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
61
|
76
|
15
|
4
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
White
|
70
|
81
|
10
|
3
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
0
|
44
|
44
|
3
|
9
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
15
|
45
|
30
|
18
|
7
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of the police by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
21
|
54
|
33
|
4
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MKE City
|
22
|
51
|
29
|
11
|
9
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
61
|
77
|
16
|
3
|
4
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
73
|
81
|
8
|
5
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
44
|
64
|
19
|
5
|
10
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MSN
|
61
|
73
|
13
|
7
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
55
|
73
|
18
|
3
|
4
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
GB/A
|
76
|
83
|
7
|
4
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
63
|
79
|
16
|
2
|
2
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of state
|
56
|
74
|
18
|
1
|
6
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of the police by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
37
|
64
|
27
|
3
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Principal city
|
42
|
62
|
20
|
8
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
52
|
70
|
18
|
4
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Suburban core
|
75
|
84
|
10
|
5
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
71
|
81
|
10
|
3
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
68
|
79
|
11
|
2
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
72
|
83
|
11
|
1
|
0
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Small town
|
82
|
87
|
5
|
0
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
63
|
76
|
13
|
5
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Isolated rural
|
78
|
87
|
8
|
0
|
5
|
Favorable or unfavorable view of the police by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Favorable
|
Unfavorable
|
Haven’t heard enough
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
84
|
91
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Republican
|
89
|
93
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
53
|
71
|
18
|
2
|
6
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Independent
|
60
|
74
|
14
|
5
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
20
|
53
|
33
|
7
|
6
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Democrat
|
40
|
61
|
21
|
7
|
9
|
Do the police make you feel safe or anxious?
In June 2020 we asked “How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel mostly safe or mostly anxious?” This question was also asked in August 2016, which is shown for comparison.
How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel mostly safe or mostly anxious? , August 2016 and June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Mostly safe
|
Mostly anxious
|
Something else
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
75
|
86
|
12
|
0
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
75
|
86
|
11
|
2
|
1
|
How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel mostly safe or mostly anxious? by race, August 2016 and June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Mostly safe
|
Mostly anxious
|
Something else
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
White
|
82
|
90
|
9
|
0
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
82
|
90
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Black or Hispanic
|
20
|
57
|
37
|
1
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
22
|
57
|
36
|
5
|
2
|
How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel mostly safe or mostly anxious? by region, August 2016 and June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Mostly safe
|
Mostly anxious
|
Something else
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
MKE City
|
36
|
66
|
29
|
1
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
30
|
57
|
28
|
11
|
2
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Rest of MKE
|
76
|
87
|
11
|
1
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
80
|
89
|
9
|
2
|
0
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
MSN
|
81
|
90
|
9
|
0
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
78
|
87
|
10
|
1
|
1
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
GB/A
|
75
|
87
|
12
|
0
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
73
|
86
|
13
|
0
|
1
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Rest of state
|
84
|
91
|
7
|
0
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
83
|
91
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel mostly safe or mostly anxious? by urban-rural, August 2016 and June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Mostly safe
|
Mostly anxious
|
Something else
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Principal city
|
55
|
76
|
21
|
1
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
61
|
79
|
17
|
2
|
1
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Suburban core
|
82
|
91
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
78
|
89
|
10
|
1
|
0
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
90
|
94
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
87
|
93
|
6
|
0
|
2
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Small town
|
84
|
91
|
7
|
0
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
79
|
87
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Isolated rural
|
86
|
93
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
84
|
91
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
How would you describe your feelings about the police in your community? Would you say they make you feel mostly safe or mostly anxious? August 2016 and June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Mostly safe
|
Mostly anxious
|
Something else
|
Don’t know
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Republican
|
91
|
95
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
91
|
95
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Independent
|
70
|
84
|
14
|
0
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
74
|
86
|
12
|
1
|
1
|
|
8/25-28/16
|
Democrat
|
67
|
83
|
16
|
0
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
58
|
77
|
19
|
3
|
1
|
Police use of deadly force
In June, but not in August, we asked “Are the police in general too willing to use deadly force?”
Are the police in general too willing to use deadly force, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Yes
|
No
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
-9
|
42
|
51
|
6
|
Are the police in general too willing to use deadly force by race, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Yes
|
No
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
-15
|
38
|
54
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
43
|
70
|
27
|
3
|
Are the police in general too willing to use deadly force by region, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Yes
|
No
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
23
|
58
|
35
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
-15
|
39
|
54
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
7
|
50
|
43
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
-13
|
40
|
53
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
-22
|
35
|
57
|
8
|
Are the police in general too willing to use deadly force by urban-rural, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Yes
|
No
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
4
|
49
|
45
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
-6
|
44
|
50
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-12
|
40
|
52
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
-9
|
41
|
50
|
9
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-32
|
28
|
60
|
12
|
Are the police in general too willing to use deadly force June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Yes
|
No
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
-54
|
20
|
74
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
-9
|
41
|
51
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
41
|
67
|
26
|
6
|
Are police killings of Black Americans isolated incidents or a larger pattern?
In June, but not in August, we asked “Do you think recent killings of Black Americans by police are isolated incidents or part of a larger pattern in the police’s treatment of Black Americans?”
Do you think recent killings of Black Americans by police are isolated incidents or part of a larger pattern in the police’s treatment of Black Americans? , June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Isolated incidents
|
Part of a larger pattern
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
-4
|
44
|
48
|
8
|
Do you think recent killings of Black Americans by police are isolated incidents or part of a larger pattern in the police’s treatment of Black Americans? by race, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Isolated incidents
|
Part of a larger pattern
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
2
|
47
|
44
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
-63
|
17
|
79
|
4
|
Do you think recent killings of Black Americans by police are isolated incidents or part of a larger pattern in the police’s treatment of Black Americans? by region, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Isolated incidents
|
Part of a larger pattern
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
-49
|
25
|
73
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
7
|
50
|
43
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
-22
|
33
|
56
|
9
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
-2
|
44
|
46
|
9
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
9
|
50
|
41
|
9
|
Do you think recent killings of Black Americans by police are isolated incidents or part of a larger pattern in the police’s treatment of Black Americans? by urban-rural, June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Isolated incidents
|
Part of a larger pattern
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
-21
|
35
|
57
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
-5
|
45
|
50
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
19
|
56
|
37
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
-7
|
44
|
50
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
20
|
49
|
29
|
16
|
Do you think recent killings of Black Americans by police are isolated incidents or part of a larger pattern in the police’s treatment of Black Americans? June 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Isolated incidents
|
Part of a larger pattern
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
55
|
73
|
18
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
-7
|
42
|
49
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
-66
|
14
|
80
|
6
|
Support or oppose defunding the police
This item was asked with different wording in June and in August. In June we asked “Do you support or oppose calls to ‘defund the police?’”. In August, as part of a series of 12 issues, we asked “We’d like to know whether you agree or disagree with each of the following policies: defund the police.”
Suport or oppose defunding the police, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Support defunding
|
Oppose defunding
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
-47
|
23
|
70
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
-61
|
17
|
78
|
5
|
Suport or oppose defunding the police by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Support defunding
|
Oppose defunding
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
-54
|
20
|
73
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
White
|
-66
|
15
|
81
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
12
|
51
|
38
|
9
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
-25
|
34
|
59
|
6
|
Suport or oppose defunding the police by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Support defunding
|
Oppose defunding
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
-21
|
35
|
55
|
9
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MKE City
|
-29
|
32
|
61
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
-53
|
21
|
74
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
-72
|
11
|
83
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
-34
|
29
|
63
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MSN
|
-56
|
18
|
74
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
-53
|
19
|
71
|
9
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
GB/A
|
-56
|
21
|
77
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
-55
|
18
|
73
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of state
|
-64
|
16
|
80
|
3
|
Suport or oppose defunding the police by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Support defunding
|
Oppose defunding
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
-42
|
25
|
66
|
8
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Principal city
|
-38
|
27
|
65
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
-40
|
27
|
67
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Suburban core
|
-70
|
13
|
83
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-49
|
22
|
71
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-73
|
11
|
85
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
-63
|
12
|
74
|
14
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Small town
|
-76
|
11
|
87
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-74
|
10
|
85
|
5
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-76
|
11
|
87
|
1
|
Suport or oppose defunding the police by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Support defunding
|
Oppose defunding
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
-80
|
8
|
88
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Republican
|
-87
|
6
|
93
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
-50
|
19
|
70
|
10
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Independent
|
-62
|
16
|
78
|
5
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
-7
|
42
|
49
|
8
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Democrat
|
-34
|
29
|
62
|
7
|
Support or oppose restructuring police
In June only we asked “Do you support or oppose calls to restructure the role of the police and require greater accountability for police misconduct?”
Suport or oppose restructuring the police, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
65
|
81
|
16
|
3
|
Suport or oppose restructuring the police by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Race
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
63
|
White
|
80
|
17
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
84
|
Black or Hispanic
|
90
|
6
|
2
|
Suport or oppose restructuring the police by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Region
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
75
|
MKE City
|
86
|
10
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
61
|
Rest of MKE
|
79
|
18
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
69
|
MSN
|
82
|
13
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
73
|
GB/A
|
85
|
12
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
56
|
Rest of state
|
77
|
21
|
2
|
Suport or oppose restructuring the police by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Type of place
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
68
|
Principal city
|
82
|
14
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
68
|
Suburban core
|
83
|
15
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
57
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
77
|
20
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
53
|
Small town
|
76
|
23
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
62
|
Isolated rural
|
78
|
15
|
7
|
Suport or oppose restructuring the police by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Party ID
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
37
|
Republican
|
67
|
30
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
71
|
Independent
|
83
|
13
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
87
|
Democrat
|
92
|
5
|
3
|
Perception of prejudice as a serious problem
In January and June 2020 only we asked “How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today: a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not so serious problem, or not a problem at all?”
How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today:, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net very vs not so/not at all
|
Very serious
|
Somewhat serious
|
Not so serious
|
Not a problem at all
|
Don’t know
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
7
|
34
|
38
|
17
|
9
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
21
|
41
|
37
|
14
|
5
|
2
|
How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today: by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net very vs not so/not at all
|
Very serious
|
Somewhat serious
|
Not so serious
|
Not a problem at all
|
Don’t know
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
White
|
3
|
31
|
40
|
19
|
8
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
16
|
37
|
39
|
15
|
6
|
2
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
45
|
56
|
33
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
68
|
77
|
13
|
8
|
1
|
2
|
How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today: by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net very vs not so/not at all
|
Very serious
|
Somewhat serious
|
Not so serious
|
Not a problem at all
|
Don’t know
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
MKE City
|
48
|
63
|
22
|
8
|
6
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
57
|
65
|
25
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
11
|
37
|
32
|
19
|
7
|
3
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
14
|
35
|
41
|
15
|
7
|
3
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
MSN
|
26
|
41
|
42
|
11
|
5
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
39
|
55
|
29
|
12
|
4
|
0
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
GB/A
|
-18
|
19
|
43
|
23
|
14
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
12
|
38
|
34
|
22
|
4
|
2
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Rest of state
|
-9
|
23
|
42
|
20
|
12
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
11
|
30
|
46
|
14
|
5
|
3
|
How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today: by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net very vs not so/not at all
|
Very serious
|
Somewhat serious
|
Not so serious
|
Not a problem at all
|
Don’t know
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Principal city
|
31
|
48
|
32
|
12
|
6
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
36
|
51
|
31
|
10
|
6
|
0
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Suburban core
|
9
|
33
|
39
|
17
|
7
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
21
|
40
|
38
|
15
|
4
|
3
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-9
|
20
|
49
|
16
|
13
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
12
|
35
|
40
|
18
|
5
|
2
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Small town
|
-18
|
21
|
39
|
29
|
10
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
25
|
44
|
37
|
18
|
1
|
1
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-8
|
27
|
32
|
27
|
8
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
-3
|
31
|
33
|
20
|
14
|
2
|
How serious a problem do you think that prejudice against Black people is in the United States today: by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net very vs not so/not at all
|
Very serious
|
Somewhat serious
|
Not so serious
|
Not a problem at all
|
Don’t know
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Republican
|
-44
|
7
|
40
|
32
|
19
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
-22
|
11
|
51
|
24
|
10
|
4
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Independent
|
13
|
36
|
39
|
16
|
7
|
1
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
20
|
41
|
37
|
17
|
4
|
1
|
|
1/8-12/20
|
Democrat
|
54
|
60
|
31
|
5
|
2
|
2
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
71
|
73
|
23
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Evaluation of Donald Trump’s handling of protests
We asked: “Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the response to protests about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis?”
Approval of Trump response to protests, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
-28
|
30
|
58
|
11
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
-26
|
32
|
58
|
9
|
Approval of Trump response to protests by race, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Race
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
White
|
-23
|
32
|
55
|
11
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
White
|
-25
|
32
|
57
|
10
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
-80
|
6
|
86
|
9
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Black or Hispanic
|
-59
|
20
|
78
|
2
|
Approval of Trump response to protests by region, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Region
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MKE City
|
-71
|
12
|
82
|
6
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MKE City
|
-55
|
21
|
75
|
4
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
-13
|
36
|
49
|
12
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of MKE
|
-21
|
34
|
55
|
11
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
MSN
|
-44
|
25
|
69
|
6
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
MSN
|
-30
|
32
|
61
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
GB/A
|
-17
|
34
|
50
|
12
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
GB/A
|
-19
|
33
|
53
|
13
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Rest of state
|
-30
|
27
|
57
|
15
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Rest of state
|
-27
|
31
|
59
|
9
|
Approval of Trump response to protests by urban-rural, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Type of place
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Principal city
|
-45
|
21
|
66
|
13
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Principal city
|
-55
|
18
|
73
|
8
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Suburban core
|
-23
|
34
|
57
|
7
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Suburban core
|
-20
|
36
|
56
|
7
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-9
|
41
|
50
|
8
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Exurbs and large towns
|
-16
|
35
|
51
|
13
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Small town
|
-47
|
14
|
61
|
20
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Small town
|
-11
|
41
|
52
|
6
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Isolated rural
|
7
|
48
|
42
|
10
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Isolated rural
|
3
|
45
|
42
|
12
|
Approval of Trump response to protests by party identification, June and August 2020
|
Poll dates
|
Party ID
|
Net
|
Approve
|
Disapprove
|
Don’t know
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Republican
|
41
|
61
|
20
|
17
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Republican
|
44
|
65
|
20
|
15
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Independent
|
-33
|
27
|
60
|
11
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Independent
|
-33
|
28
|
61
|
10
|
|
6/14-18/20
|
Democrat
|
-95
|
1
|
96
|
3
|
|
8/4-9/20
|
Democrat
|
-92
|
2
|
94
|
3
|