In a recent University of Wisconsin Badger Poll, more respondents favored a sentence of life without parole rather than the death penalty. Only 45% supported capital punishment, while 50% favored life sentences. When asked about the death penalty in theory, without any alternative sentences mentioned, 55.6% of Wisconsinites polled favored capital punishment for “cases involving a person who is convicted of first degree intentional homicides, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence.” In a non-binding November referendum, voters will consider the reinstatement of the death penalty in the state. The Badger Poll questioned 508 persons and has a margin of error of +/-4%.

(Badger Poll Release, July 17, 2006). See Public Opinion and Life Without Parole.