Poll finds majority supports Utah's Amendment 3

A new poll shows that Amendment 3, a proposal in Utah to codify in the state constitution the banning of same-sex marriage, enjoys strong support among Utah voters, though some have misgivings about its second part. The measure, which goes before voters in November, says: "Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent effect." Opponents, including all three candidates for Utah attorney general, say the second part's wording could prevent basic legal protections for unmarried couples, such as hospital visitation or inheritance. Supporters say the second part is essential to prevent domestic partnerships, civil unions, or other arrangements they call "counterfeit marriages." A survey conducted for Salt Lake City's Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV found that 63% of the 915 registered voters polled statewide said they would vote in favor of the amendment, according to a Deseret Morning News story published Monday. The poll, conducted September 6-9, found that 30% said they would vote against the amendment, with 7% saying they were undecided or didn't know. Support for amending the constitution was virtually unchanged from earlier surveys, but support for the second part of the amendment has weakened. Eighty percent of those polled supported the first part of the amendment, and 56% supported the second part. Support for the proposal was strongest among those who identified themselves as very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.