A statewide survey of likely California voters released on Wednesday shows that 51% of respondents say that same-sex marriage, whether they oppose or support it, is a “very important” issue where the 2010 ballot is concerned.

The survey from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that addressing marriage equality was second only to the budget among issues that matter most to voters.

According to the PPIC, “At a time when many initiatives are circulating to qualify for the 2010 ballots, the survey asked likely voters to assess the importance of a half-dozen issues that may be up for a vote. Which issues are viewed as very important —  either because they are favored or opposed?”

Some 51% of voters said that the issue of allowing same-sex couples to marry in California was very important, following 54% who said that lowering the vote threshold for the legislature to pass a state budget was very important.