The percentage of Indiana residents who
oppose a proposed gay marriage ban has increased 4 points since last
year.
The constitutional amendment, proposed
by Rep. Eric Turner, a Republican, seeks to prohibit the state from
recognizing any union other than a heterosexual marriage. It is
expected to clear its final legislative hurdle early next year and
make its way to the 2014 ballot.
According to a WISH-TV/Ball State
Hoosier Survey released Thursday, only 38 percent of respondents
support the amendment, while 58 percent oppose it – a 4 percent
increase from last year's poll.
Joseph Losco, chairman of Ball State's
Department of Political Science, said the poll shows the amendment's
chances “depend a lot on voter mobilization next year.”
A large majority (77%) of Democrats
oppose the amendment, while Republican opposition is at 40 percent.
Hoosiers are more divided on whether
the state should allow gay couples to marry, with 48 in support and
46 percent opposed. Last year's poll found support and opposition
split evenly at 45 percent each.