Thursday, August 2, 2012

POLL RESULTS: 54% of Maryland Voters Support Marriage Equality // African-American Voter Support Holds Steady

Marylanders for Marriage Equality released poll results today showing that a majority of Free State voters continue to support civil rights for LGBT families. Moreover, the gains in African American voter support that we witnessed after Obama's endorsement of marriage equality are holding steady. Take that Chik-fil-a!

See the press release and poll summary below:

PRESS RELEASE

New Poll: 54% of Maryland Voters Would Protect Marriage Law

Lead for marriage equality advocates widens as African-American support grows

BALTIMORE – Marylanders for Marriage Equality today released a new poll showing voters approve of marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples by a 14-point margin (54% to 40%). The poll was conducted by Hart Research last week.


"We continue to have the momentum," said Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality. "Voters are having conversations on marriage around the dinner table and are agreeing that people should be treated fairly."

African-American voters, the survey noted, are virtually evenly split between supporters (44%) and opponents (45%)  - a shift from just few months ago when opponents were up by nine points. The change is largely due to increased discussion of marriage equality following the endorsement of the issue by President Obama and the NAACP.

"We're winning over undecideds and the intensity is clearly on our side," said Levin. ""Voters are realizing that this law is about treating our gay friends, family, and neighbors equally under the law, and that no religious institution would be forced to marry anyone they objected to.”

In addition to marriage, Marylanders may be voting in November on a gambling initiative. Yet they rank marriage significantly more important in terms of priorities.

The poll, conducted July 24-28, included 504 statewide voters. It comes just weeks after Marylanders for Marriage Equality raised a quarter of a million dollars in one night and began direct voter contact in neighborhoods all over the state.

A polling memo is attached.

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Maryland Marriage Equality Poll Results - Aug. 2, 2012

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