Poll: Record Support for Marriage in California

Support for marriage equality in the nation's most populous state has a reached a record high, according to a Field Poll released Wednesday.

The poll of about 1,000 California voters finds 59% in favor of marriage rights for same-sex couples, with 34% opposed.

Field notes:

This division of sentiment is nearly a complete reversal of the findings from the first time The Field Poll began measuring Californians' attitudes toward same-sex marriage in 1977. At that time, 59% disapproved and 28% were in favor....

Very large or sizeable majorities of sub-groups of the state's electorate now supports allowing same-sex marriage. These include voters in each of the four major regions of the state, Democrats, non-partisans, middle-of-the-road and liberal voters, young and middle age groups, men and women, white non-Hispanics, married as well as single voters, Catholics, voters affiliated with non- Christian religions, and those with no religious preference.

Sentiment on this issue is mixed among voters age 65 and older, African-Americans and Protestants.

Republicans and political conservatives are the only major blocs where majorities are opposed to gays and lesbians marrying.

Full results of the poll here.