The Politics of the Paranormal

32% of all adults say they believe that "ghosts/spirits of dead people can come back," while 48% do not, and 19% are unsure. An even larger number of Americans believe that houses can be haunted, with 37% holding that position, 46% saying no, and 16% not sure. There's an ideological twist, with 42% of liberals saying they believe in ghosts--but only 25% of conservatives and 35% of moderates saying this.

Belief in ghosts declines with age, with 45 of those 18 to 29 sticking to that, while only 22% of those 65 and over holding that view. The poll was based on interviews with 1,002 adults, with a plus or minus 3% sampling error.