KSTP/SurveyUSA: Minnesotans split judge Barrett nomination

Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court is among the most divisive issues in recent history in Washington, DC. Minnesotans seem to be equally split on her nomination, but ultimately a plurality of "likely voters" in the state don’t think it will have a big impact on the election.

Barrett confirmed as Supreme Court justice in partisan vote

We asked 800 adults across the state, if it was "right or wrong to nominate a new justice before the election?" Forty percent of respondents say it was "right," 38 percent say it was "wrong" and 22 percent are "not sure." The "credibility interval" (similar to margin of error) is 4.8 percent. In the survey, 80 percent of Democrats think it was wrong and 78 percent of Republicans say it was right. Independents are split, with 34 percent in favor and 33 percent opposed.

What we do know for sure is that both Minnesota senators, Sen. Tina Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, opposed the nomination.

Full KSTP/SurveyUSA Supreme Court Poll

"America, you deserve better," Klobuchar said on the Senate floor. "You deserve leaders who will put you first. You deserve leaders who will protect your jobs, your families and your health care. You deserve a Supreme Court nominee who will speak truth to power or at least acknowledge when basic precedence exists even if it is inconvenient to the president who nominated her."

Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell defended the decision to nominate and approve her.

"So how fortunate for our country that the Senate just advanced one of the most qualified nominees for judicial service that we’ve seen in our lifetimes," he said after a procedural vote on Sunday. "Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit is a stellar nominee in every single respect."

As for whether Barrett should be nominated, Minnesotans were split down the middle, with 40 percent saying she should be approved and 40 percent said she should not.

As for whether her nomination will impact the elections, 47 percent of Minnesotans surveyed said it would have no impact, with 31 percent saying it will have a minor impact and 14 percent a major impact. Another eight percent were not sure.