Poll find voters split on 'gay marriage'

Trenton, N.J., Oct 27, 2013 / 06:47 am

A new survey reports that U.S. voters are evenly split on "gay marriage," with opposition strongest among those who view marriage primarily as a religious institution.

The Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 44 percent of self-described likely voters oppose same-sex "marriage," while an equal number support it. About 66 percent of Republican voters oppose recognizing the unions as marriages, while 60 percent of Democrats support recognition. Unaffiliated voters back the unions by a margin of 46 to 39 percent.

"Gay marriage" draws opposition from black voters, 65 percent of whom oppose it. Fifty-two percent of other minority voters favor it while white voters are evenly split, Rasmussen says.

The young and the never-married are more likely to support "gay marriage," with 58 percent of voters under 40 supporting redefinition. Men are somewhat more likely than women to oppose the unions.

About 71 percent of those who say marriage is primarily a religious institution oppose redefining marriage, while 77 percent of those who see marriage as a civil institution support redefinition.

Most of those who say the federal government should establish marriage laws favor redefining marriage, while those who see marriage laws as a state or local responsibility oppose redefinition.

The survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted Oct. 22-23. It claims a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Recent Rasmussen surveys have found strong support for having children grow up in a home with both parents. There is also strong support for the right for businesses in the wedding industry to decline requests to provide services for same-sex ceremonies if the businesses have religious objections.