The surveys were conducted by Cambridge Survey Research in February and April of 1986. The first survey consisted of 500 registered voters and the followup survey consisted of 400 registered voters in the State of Florida. In addition to the two quantitative surveys, a qualitative survey was conducted in June of 1985. All three surveys were conducted by telephone. Three principal findings emerged: (1) there is overwhelming support for the death penalty; (2) there are cases, such as for minors and retarded people, in which the death penalty is used where voters indicate they oppose its application; and (3) voters are receptive to alternatives to the death penalty such as life imprisonment without parole. Abolishment of the death penalty did not surface as a realistic goal in these surveys. Appendix. (Author abstract modified)