Support for bail reform in New York has dropped sharply, thanks to media reports depicting repeat offenders caught in an endless cycle of what has been considered a criminal “catch and release” scheme.
Around 59 percent of Empire State voters polled by Siena College believe the bail reforms have been detrimental for the state, while around 33 percent are still in favor of them.
One month prior, the attitudes were a little different, with 49 percent of polled individuals opposing bail reform and 37 percent in support.
Democrats still favor the law by a very slim margin, but around ten percent of the polled demographic have switched sides on the matter. Republicans remain steadfastly opposed to the reform laws, and have jumped about ten percent in opposition as well.
Minorities are the strongest backers of bail reform, primarily African Americans. Latinos have taken a dim view of the laws, with opposition surging 18 percent points from the previous survey.
Needless to say, most New Yorkers polled don’t believe the law reform helps the community.
“Support for the new bail law -which took effect in January after passage as part of the budget last year- continues to plummet,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg told the New York Post. “In April, New Yorkers thought the new law would be good for the state by 17 points. Last month, voters said the new law is bad for the state by a margin of 12 points. Today, that margin for thinking the law is bad for New York has bulged to 26 points.”
Voters are also divided on the law that allows illegal immigrants to get a New York driver’s license, with around 48 percent in support and 48 percent opposed.
Legalizing marijuana has remained popular across the board, with only around 40 percent of polled individuals in opposition.
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