Poll: New
Jerseyans support same-sex marriage by slim majority

A new poll out Friday shows that a clear majority of New Jersey residents supports civil unions and that a slim majority is even in favor of same-sex marriage. New Jersey gay and lesbian couples are eagerly awaiting a ruling from the state supreme court on a lawsuit demanding equal marriage rights.

If the high court rules in favor of the couples, conservatives have vowed to launch a campaign aimed at putting a same-sex marriage ban into the constitution. But Friday's survey results show they may have a tough time getting such a measure to pass.

The Rutgers-Eagleton Poll shows 52% of New Jerseyans are against such an amendment, while just four in 10 support it. The question as posed did not specify an amendment to the state or federal constitution.

Support for same-sex marriage was split, ranging from 48% to 53%, depending on whether respondents were asked first about civil unions or equal marriage rights. But support for civil unions was overwhelming: 65% in favor and just 30% opposed.

The results show that New Jersey voters are much more favorably disposed to gay unions than Americans are in general, and that New Jerseyans are showing more support for gay unions than they did just three years ago. The poll of 700 registered voters scored a margin of error of 3 1/2 points. (Sirius OutQ News)