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)