A recent public opinion poll indicates that over two-thirds of American voters say that if former President Trump is found guilty in the “Hush Money Case” criminal trial, it will not affect their voting choice in the November election.
The Marist Poll released on Thursday reveals that 67% of registered voters say that a conviction for Trump in the New York “Hush Money Case” trial would not sway their vote; 17% of those surveyed say that a guilty verdict would decrease the likelihood of them voting for him, while 15% indicate they would be more inclined to support the former President in such a scenario.
Conversely, if Trump is acquitted, a majority of voters, 76%, state that the outcome of the trial would not impact their vote; 9% suggest that an acquittal would make them less likely to vote for Trump, and 14% say they would be more likely to support him in that case.
Thursday saw the jury deliberations of the Trump “Hush Money Case” enter their second day. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has brought forth 34 counts of serious charges against the former President, including first-degree falsifying business records, making it the first criminal trial in U.S. history involving a sitting or former president.
The “Hush Money Case,” formally known as “People of the State of New York v. Trump” (People v. Trump), stems from Trump’s alleged payment of hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign and his efforts to conceal an extramarital affair. A grand jury in New York found Trump guilty in March 2023 and filed criminal charges, with the trial commencing last month lasting over a month and currently in the sentencing phase.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the case.
The poll also found that the majority of voters have firm intentions in their voting preferences. Approximately two-thirds of registered voters (66%) say they know who they will vote for and nothing can change their minds. Among supporters of Biden and Trump, 68% of each group express steadfast support for their respective candidate.
However, 25% of voters indicate that although they have a good understanding of the candidate they will support, they could still change their minds; 7% of those surveyed remain undecided on who to vote for. Among voters who are certain to vote in November, 73% say they have a definite plan on who they will vote for.
The Marist Poll, conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) and sponsored by National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS NewsHour, was carried out nationally from May 21 to 23, surveying approximately 1,200 American adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.