Poll results released by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce this week show that 71% of NC voters favor criminal justice reform. The survey, conducted in mid-March, sheds light on public sentiment about safety, justice, and potential solutions to reduce recidivism and create more secure communities.
Notably, 92% of respondents reported feeling somewhat or very safe in their communities, and a majority — 59% — had not experienced any victimization related to crime.
“The perception of safety is surprisingly high, and it also ties directly to the growing support for reforms aimed at better addressing non-violent offenses and recidivism,” said Pat McFerron of CMA Strategies during the NC Chamber’s analysis of the data on Tuesday.
Among the specific reforms with overwhelming voter approval are reminders for court dates at 91%, court-approved summer camps for at-risk youth at 92%, and allowing those with drug offenses to access food stamps at 87%.
“These results show clear, practical solutions that voters believe can address root issues in the system while still promoting accountability,” said Jake Cashion, vice president of government affairs at the NC Chamber, also during the Tuesday virtual press conference.
Republican support for reform increased from 49% in 2024 to 66% in the most recent survey. Older voters are also showing more openness, with support hitting 66% among respondents over 65.
The poll also explored respondents’ views of the criminal justice system broadly. While just over half of voters approve of the system, there appeared to be erosion in trust among Democrats, with approval dropping from 58% last year to 49% this year. Republicans maintained steady levels of approval at 57%.
Voters also showed an appetite for reforms such as automatic record clearing for individuals whose cases were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts at 71%, ending license revocation for unpaid fines and fees at 51%, and increasing access to court records through eCourt modernization at 66%.
The poll’s methodology revealed demographic nuances worth noting as a caveat to interpreting the results. A significant proportion of respondents were women, individuals over 65, and those earning more than $100,000 annually. More Democrats were surveyed than Republicans, which could potentially influence the perspective on reform-focused questions.
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