Polls Show Surge in African-American Support for Maryland Marriage Equality (Question 6)

Marylanders for Marriage Equality today touts the surge in African American support for a "vote for" Question 6. See the press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

Three New Polls Show Momentum for Question 6,
Surge in African-American Support

BALTIMORE - Three polls in the past week show more Marylanders support Question 6, the Civil Marriage Protection Act, than oppose it. Two of them reflect a surge of support among African-American voters compared to earlier in the year.

"The polls continue to show Marylanders believe in treating everyone fairly and equally under the law," said Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality. "We can feel the momentum for Question Six, but take nothing for granted. Polls will tighten in the final weeks, so this remains a very close race."

Over the weekend, a Baltimore Sun poll showed more than half of African-American voters support marriage equality, with a quarter opposed. The Sun noted this is a "dramatic" and "profound" shift of 10 points among black voters compared to its poll done earlier in the year. A Gonzales Research poll also out last week found the same 10-point jump among black voters.

The Sun poll found 49% of all voters favor marriage equality, with 39% opposed. But Gonzales, and a third poll by The Mellman Group, indicated a majority of voters (51% to 43% in Gonzales, 54% to 30% in Mellman) would support Question 6. Both surveys asked the actual wording that will appear on the ballot. Hart Research also finds supporters up 54% to 40% when using the ballot language.

"In the coming days and weeks, we're bracing for an onslaught of misinformation from our opponents," said Levin, "which can easily take this thing in a different direction. So we're re-doubling our efforts to make sure voters know Question 6 is about fairness and equality under the law."

Marylanders for Marriage Equality is the diverse coalition made up of 1199 SEIU of Maryland, NAACP Baltimore, ACLU of Maryland, Equality Maryland, the Human Rights Campaign working to protect marriage on the November ballot.

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POLL RESULTS: Independent Rob Sobhani Tied With GOP Nominee Dan Bongino in Race for Sen. Ben Cardin's Seat

UPDATE: Rob Sobhani is now using these tied poll results to argue that he should be included in debates between Sen. Ben Cardin and Dan Bongino. It sounds like Bongino doesn't want him to attend, though. The Associated Press reported on the news (via The Washington Post - excerpt below):

ASSOCIATED PRESS: An independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland is renewing his call to be included in debates between Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin and Republican challenger Dan Bongino. In asking to join the two major-party candidates in their debates, independent Rob Sobhani is citing recent poll results that show he is as competitive as Bongino....

POLL RESULTS DEMONSTRATE WEAK REPUBLICAN BRAND IN MARYLAND

BACKGROUND: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Rob Sobhani appears to have doomed Republican Dan Bongino's already struggling campaign for Democrat Ben Cardin's seat. Moreover, the GOP brand in Maryland appears to be extremely weak.

Maryland Reporter today highlighted a new poll from Gonzales Research and Marketing Strategies surveying voter opinion on several contested races in the Free State. We'll soon discuss some of the latest numbers on the heated ballot questions, but for now Maryland Juice finds the poll results on Maryland's U.S. Senate race the most interesting. Incumbent Sen. Ben Cardin's biggest re-election competition comes from GOP nominee Dan Bongino and wealthy independent candidate Rob Sobhani (a former Republican candidate). We previously reported that Sobhani was spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on television advertising throughout Maryland. Gonzales' poll today is the first measure of the impact of that spending, and the results show how weak the Republican brand is in Maryland.

BEN CARDIN WAY AHEAD IN SENATE RACE // TIE FOR 2ND PLACE - First, it shouldn't surprise anyone to see that Sen. Ben Cardin is way ahead of his competition in the U.S. Senate race. Gonzales reported the following results today (excerpt below via Maryland Reporter):

EVENTS: Maryland Juice Goes Public Friday in Silver Spring // PLUS: Democratic Candidate Trainings & Panels with Politicos

UPDATE: I almost forgot to mention, the Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club's annual barbecue is this Saturday, September 22 from  2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Lt. Gov Anthony  Brown and Attorney General Doug Gansler will be speaking at the event: Indian Spring Terrace Recreation Center - 9717 Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring, MD, 20901.

Here is a random assembly of events that may be of interest to Maryland Juice readers -- starting with a fireside chat with Maryland Juice this Friday in Silver Spring:

Join Maryland Juice this FRI at Silver Spring's Kefa Cafe

#1: FRIDAY 9/21 // MARYLAND JUICE GOES PUBLIC - This Friday, Just Up the Pike blogger Dan Reed is hosting a discussion titled, "Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring." Maryland Juice (aka David Moon) is speaking at this event, and I encourage you to come take part in the debate. Just Up the Pike printed the following invitation:

JUST UP THE PIKE: Back in July, I wrote a post on the challenges of engaging often underrepresented groups, like young people and immigrants, in local affairs. We can get them involved with the right issue, like last year's curfew debate, but as Takoma Park City Councilmember Seth Grimes points out, many folks just don't have the the time, the money or the wherewithal to participate in a citizens' advisory board or a public hearing.

How can we do better? I'm joining up with Amy Kincaid, the curator of Space 7:10 at Kefa Café in downtown Silver Spring, to talk it out. Next Friday from 6:30 to 8:30pm, we're hosting a community roundtable called "Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring."

It's an intimate discussion; as those who've been to Space 7:10 know, it's the size of a large kitchen cabinet. Nonetheless, we've invited some local community leaders and activists, like Abigail Burman from Stand Up to the MoCo Curfew and David Moon from Maryland Juice to talk about their successes and how we can make a more inclusive decision-making process.

Come out and enjoy Kefa's awesome coffee and treats. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, visit Space 7:10's website or email me at justupthepike at gmail dot com.

"Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring"
Friday, September 21
6:30 to 8:30pm
Space 7:10 at Kefa Café
963 Bonifant Street (at Georgia Avenue)
Downtown Silver Spring

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.