A majority of Maryland voters favor a
gay marriage law approved earlier this year by lawmakers.
According to a Hart Research Associates
survey conducted in July, 54 percent of respondents favor marriage
equality, while 40 percent remain opposed.
After passage of the marriage law,
which does not take effect until January 1, opponents gathered
sufficient signatures to put it up to a popular vote at the ballot
box in November.
Pollsters also found support for gay
marriage increased 4 percent among African-American voters since
March. One explanation could be President Barack Obama's May
announcement in support of such unions.
“The bottom line is that a November
win for marriage equality at the ballot box in Maryland is well
within our grasp,” pollsters
noted in releasing their results. “Both overall support and
the INTENSITY of the support have increased, and, in particular,
President Obama's strong affirmation of marriage equality has
resulted in a durable shift in attitude among African-American
voters.”