A proposed constitutional amendment in
Minnesota which would define marriage as a heterosexual union is
losing steam just weeks before voters head to the polls.
According to a Public Policy Polling
(PPP) survey of 937 likely Minnesota voters conducted from October
5th to 8th, 46 percent of voters support the
amendment, while 49 percent say they are opposed. That's a 2 percent
drop in support from a survey conducted last month.
The measure has lost support from
independents, who flipped from supporting the amendment 51 to 42% in
September to opposing it by a 52- to- 42% margin.
“The marriage amendment in Minnesota
continues to look like a toss up,” said
Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. “Voters are
very closely divided on the issue.”
The amendment needs 50 percent approval
to pass.
Pollsters found that 47 percent of
voters support gay marriage, while 43 percent remain opposed.
A large majority (74%) of Minnesotans
support either marriage (43%) or civil unions (31%) for gay couples.
Twenty-four percent said there should be no legal recognition of such
unions.
A majority (52%) of Republicans support
either marriage or civil unions for gay couples.