USA - Connecticut. A poll showed 62 percent of residents do not support repealing the death penalty

A new Quinnipiac University poll showed 62 percent of Connecticut residents do not support repealing the death penalty. The poll, released today, surveyed 1,622 registered voters on an array of issues. The Quinnipiac University poll director, Doug Schwartz, said the poll found "about 2 to 1 were against abolishing the death penalty." Of those surveyed, more than 80 % of Republicans said they believe abolishing the death penalty is a "bad idea," compared to 44 % of Democrats. According to the poll, Connecticut men are more likely to oppose death penalty repeal than women. Additionally, more than half of state residents polled said they think death row inmates should still be executed if the penalty is abolished. While repealing the state's death penalty remains unpopular among voters, the percentage of Connecticut residents who said they oppose abolishing the punishment has dropped 5 % since last year. Mike Lawlor, the undersecretary of Criminal Justice Policy for the Office of Policy and Management, said despite the lack of public support shown in a recent poll, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy would sign legislation on the issue. From March 14 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,622 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points.