Minnesotans are nearly evenly split on
a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in the state.
According to a statewide Star
Tribune
Minnesota Poll of 807 adults conducted between November 2-3, 48
percent of respondents said they favor the amendment,while 43 percent
oppose it. The survey's plus or minus 4.4 percentage point margin of
error leaves the state nearly evenly divided on the issue.
Voters will decide on the amendment
next November.
The poll shows stronger support for the
amendment among men, older voters, Republicans, voters with no
college education and people who live outside metropolitan areas.
“I don't really care what people do
in their private lives,” George Weld, a 62-year-old communications
consultant, told the paper. But he added that marriage was designed
to protect the children of heterosexual couples.
“I believe that that is what this
thing called marriage is. How do we protect society with two
same-sex people?” he asked.
Christina Edstrom said she viewed the
issue as one of civil rights.
“I believe that everyone deserves to
be treated equally and everyone deserve to marry who they love,”
the 28-year-old mental health professional said. “I like to think
of Minnesota as being more open-minded.”