---
title: 'PUBLIC OPINION: Americans Closely Split Between Death Penalty and Life Without Parole'
description: 'A June 2006 TNS Poll (released by the Washington Post and ABC News) found little change in American opinion on the death penalty over the past three…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/public-opinion-americans-closely-split-between-death-penalty-and-life-without-parole'
section: news
date: '2006-07-06T18:00:01-04:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:54:15-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

A June 2006 TNS Poll (released by the Washington Post and ABC News) found little change in American opinion on the death penalty over the past three years. Sixty-five percent of American adults still favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. Despite this, when respondents were given a choice between the sentencing options of life without parole and the death penalty, 46% favored life without parole. Fifty percent of respondents, however, selected the death penalty as their preference for the punishment of those convicted of murder.

([Angus Reid Global Scan](http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/12409), July 1, 2006). See [Public Opinion](../article.php?did=209&scid=23) and [Life Without Parole](../article.php?did=555&scid=59).