---
title: 'PUBLIC OPINION: Wisconsin Voters Favor Life Without Parole Over Death Penalty'
description: 'In a recent University of Wisconsin Badger Poll, more respondents favored a sentence of life without parole rather than the death penalty. Only 45%…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/public-opinion-wisconsin-voters-favor-life-without-parole-over-death-penalty'
section: news
date: '2006-07-19T17:14:04-04:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:24:22-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

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](/public-opinion-about-death-penalty?did=209&scid=23) and [Life Without Parole.](/life-without-parole?did=555&scid=59)