Exit Poll: 21 Percent of Voters say Supreme Court Appointment 'Most Important Factor'

Appointments to the United States Supreme Court played a major factor in Tuesday’s presidential election, according to exit polling from ABC News.

Twenty-one percent of voters said appointments to the Supreme Court were “the most important factor” in their decision about which presidential candidate to support.

The voters who said the Supreme Court was “the most important factor” preferred Trump over Clinton, 57 percent to 40 percent.

Justice Antonin Scalia’s seat on the high court remains open after he passed away in February, as the U.S. Senate did not hold a confirmation hearing for Merrick Garland, who was nominated by President Obama.

“Thank you, Majority Leader McConnell and Chairman Grassley, for giving the American people a voice in filling the vacancy left by Justice Scalia’s untimely death. The people deserved to be heard yesterday, and their voice was unmistakable,” stated Chief Counsel and Policy Director at the Judicial Crisis Network, Carrie Severino.

“A sizable majority of voters named lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court as one of the most important factors in their voting decision. I share their concern and look forward to working with both President Trump and the new Senate to protect and defend the Constitution,” Severino said.