A new poll released Wednesday finds
Minnesotans nearly evenly divided on a constitutional amendment
banning gay marriage.
The
Public Policy Polling survey found 46 percent of respondents in
favor of the amendment, 47 percent opposed, and 7 percent undecided.
“Voters in the state are about as
evenly divided as they could be on gay marriage,” Tom Jensen said
in a post announcing the poll's results. “As usual the
generational divide on the issue is staggering – seniors support a
ban by a 57/34 margin while every other age group opposes it.”
A large majority of respondents (72%)
said the relationships of gay and lesbian couples should be given
legal recognition (38% marriage, 34% civil unions).
It is the second poll to gauge
Minnesota voter's opinions since lawmakers
approved the amendment last week, sending it to voters for their
approval in 2012.
“There aren't a lot of policy issues
I would say this about but public opinion on gay marriage is shifting
so quickly that it wouldn't surprise me if opposition to this
amendment grows by 5 or 6 points in the 17 months between now and
next November's election.”
A SurveyUSA poll released earlier in
the week and commissioned by the Minneapolis-St. Paul ABC affiliate
KSTP found 51 percent of respondents in favor of the amendment, 40
percent opposed, and 8 percent uncertain.
“This is a significant change from
our last poll in March when 62% favored the amendment banning gay
marriage and 33% were opposed,” the polling group said in
announcing its findings.
Supporters
of the amendment have suggested the polls are being rigged.