Poll shows California voters still split on gay marriage
A field poll of California’s electorate has suggested that voters are more sharply divided over Proposition 8 than they were in November, when the gay marriage ban was passed.
The survey of 761 registered voters found that 48 percent of those surveyed would support a new ballot initiative repealing the proposition, while 47 percent would favour keeping the ban in place. The remaining 5 percent were undecided.
California’s Supreme Court is currently considering whether to repeal Prop 8 after hearing a number of arguments against it at a hearing last week. The seven judges have until June 3rd to make their decision.
“Opinions haven’t changed much since November,” field poll director Mark DiCamillo told the San Francisco Chronicle.
“The closeness of the divide suggests it would depend on the quality of the campaigning and voter turnout.”
According to the poll, voter turnout could be the deciding factor in an upcoming amendment to allow same-sex couples to marry.
“The success would really depend on who showed up to vote,” DiCamillo added.
According to the poll, Democrats favour same-sex marriage by 63 percent and 32 percent oppose. Republicans are 70 percent opposed and 24 percent in favour. In Los Angeles County, 55 percent favour and 40 percent oppose. In the San Francisco Bay Area, those polled are 64 percent in favour and 31 percent opposed.
Voters aged 18 to 39 are in favour of gay marriage by 55 percent while those 65 or older are 58 percent opposed, the poll showed.
