Many Americans perceive a lack of economic opportunity, partly owing to discriminatory government preferences. This policy explainer discusses the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution and reports the results of a voter survey gauging support for the Equal Protection Clause.

Key Findings:

• Of the 800 registered voters surveyed, an overwhelming 95 percent support the Equal Protection Clause, and 75 percent support the principle of equal treatment under the law over government preferences designed to correct the historical wrongs of racism and prejudice.
• Americans view equal treatment under the law as linked with economic advancement: 60 percent of respondents agree that government preferences such as quotas cost people opportunities.

Policy Implications:

• One reform that accords with the ideas of fairness and opportunity captured in the survey is the Equal Treatment in Federal Programs Act, a piece of PLF model legislation. The act would prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and other protected characteristics by government entities.

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