The U.S. Supreme Court's job performance has divided public opinion.

According to a Gallup Poll, 47 percent of American adults approved of the Supreme Court's rulings, which is consistent with 2013's 46 percent approval rating. The poll, surveying people across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, also found 46 percent of people disapprove of the Supreme Court's actions

According to Gallup, Americans' opinion of the Supreme Court has been more positive than negative since polling began in 2000. The overall highest approval rating for the Supreme Court was 62 percent in 2000 and 2001. Since 2009's approval high of 61 percent -- and 28 percent disapproval rating -- the approval rating has experienced a decline.

Republicans favor the Supreme Court more than independents and Democrats. Republican approval of the highest U.S. court has increased 21 percent since September 2013 to 51 percent. Gallup stated support within the GOP increased following the Supreme Court's 5-4 Hobby Lobby decision. The GOP approval peak was in 2001 with 80 percent following the Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore.

"At the same time, that decision likely cost the court some support from Democrats," said Gallup's Rebecca Riffkin. "Democratic leaders in Congress have expressed public disagreement with this ruling and are trying to pass a bill to override it."

Among Democratic voters, support for the Supreme Court declined from 58 percent to 44 percent. In 2012, Democrats supported the Supreme Court with 68 percent, nearly matching the all-time high recorded by Gallup in 2000 and 2009, which was 70 percent. The 68 percent in 2012 came after the court's ruling favoring the Affordable Care Act.

Independents showed little change, from 47 percent to 46 percent.

"Americans remain split on the job the Supreme Court is doing, and the current approval rating is on the low end of what Gallup has measured since it began asking the question in 2000. The biggest change in Americans' views of the court this year has been the flip in partisan approval," added Riffkin.

The Gallup poll was conducted between July 7 and July 10 after what the polling organization referred to as a "controversial" 2013-2014 term that included decisions allowing prayers in city council meetings, the elimination of buffer zones around abortion clinics in Massachusetts and the Hobby Lobby case.

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