---
title: 'Poll: Majority of Oklahomans Support Replacing Death Penalty With Life Without Parole Plus Restitution'
description: 'A new survey conducted by SoonerPoll has found that while three-quarters of likely Oklahoma voters say they support the death penalty in theory, a…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/poll-majority-of-oklahomans-support-replacing-death-penalty-with-life-without-parole-plus-restitution'
section: news
date: '2016-08-08T15:18:55-04:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:44:28-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

! A new survey conducted by SoonerPoll has found that while three-quarters of likely **Oklahoma** voters say they support the death penalty in theory, a majority (53%) support abolishing capital punishment and replacing it with a sentence of life without parole, plus restitution to victims' families. Among every political affiliation, more supported the plan to replace the death penalty than favored keeping it, with a majority of Democrats (58%) and independents (57%) supporting abolition and a 48%-41% plurality of Republicans favoring replacing the death penalty. A [**similar poll**](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/poll-majority-of-oklahomans-favor-replacing-death-penalty-with-life-without-parole-plus-restitution) from November 2015, shortly after the failed execution of [**Richard Glossip**](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/oklahoma-knew-it-had-used-unauthorized-drug-months-before-it-aborted-richard-glossips-execution), found 52% support for replacing the death penalty with life without parole. The poll results reflect a pattern of softening support for capital punishment among voters in death penalty states. Recent polls in a number of such states show respondents expressing support for the death penalty generally, but favoring alternatives to capital punishment when offered a choice of punishments. A [**Florida**](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/majority-of-floridians-prefer-life-sentence-to-death-penalty-73-would-require-unanimous-jury-vote-for-death) poll earlier this year reported that 62% of respondents preferred some form of life in prison for those convicted of murder. In 2015, 54% of [**Pennsylvanians**](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/public-opinion-majority-of-pennsylvanians-prefer-life-sentences-support-moratorium-on-death-penalty) preferred life in prison. A recently-released [**Kentucky**](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/nearly-3-4-of-kentuckians-support-moratorium-on-executions-majority-prefer-lengthy-prison-terms-to-death-penalty) poll reported that 58% of respondents preferred lengthy prison terms over death sentences, with 72% supporting a moratorium on executions.

(S. Allen, "[Majority of Oklahomans support replacing death penalty with life sentences, poll shows](http://newsok.com/majority-of-oklahomans-support-replacing-death-penalty-with-life-sentences-poll-shows/article/5512693)," The Oklahoman, August 6, 2016.) See [**Public Opinion**](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/policy/public-opinion-polls).