On July 9, the Supreme Court ruled that a large portion – about half – of Oklahoma, including parts of Tulsa, is Native American land. The 5-4 decision could have sweeping implications for the state’s criminal justice system, and lays the groundwork for new negotiations between local officials and five Native American tribes in Oklahoma.
A YouGov Snap Poll taken just after the decision found that seven in 10 (69%) Americans support the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“Today we are asked whether the land these treaties promised remains an Indian reservation for purposes of federal criminal law,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion. “Because Congress has not said otherwise, we hold the government to its word.”
The YouGov Poll finds half of Americans (50%) strongly support the Supreme Court decision, compared to 19 percent who somewhat support it. Of those who oppose, 5 percent somewhat oppose, compared to 4 percent of Americans that strongly oppose the decision.
Democrats (83%) are more likely than Independents (66%) and Republicans (57%) to support the Supreme Court decision. Republicans are the most likely party demographic to oppose the decision.
Three-quarters (74%) of Americans ages 45 to 54 support the decision, making them the most likely age demographic to support it. Young Americans, 18-to 24-year-olds, are the least likely age group to support the decision (52%).
Support for the Supreme Court decision stays constant based on gender, 68 percent of men say they support it, compared to 71 percent of women. In a reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation pledged to work alongside state and federal law enforcement agencies to uphold public safety on native land.
“The Supreme Court today kept the United States’ sacred promise to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of a protected reservation. Today’s decision will allow the Nation to honor our ancestors by maintaining our established sovereignty and territorial boundaries,” said the tribe.
Subscribe to the YouGov Daily newsletter.
Related: Voters split on SCOTUS decision to send Trump financial records case to lower courts
Image: Getty
