76 percent support constitutional amendment on marriage
Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina voters’ support of defining marriage as between “one man and one woman” is stronger than ever according to Civitas Institute poll results released today.
The live caller poll of 600 voters reveals that 76 percent of voters in North Carolina support adding a definition to the North Carolina Constitution, while 21 percent oppose the same measure. The net support of the measure is 76 to 21 or +55. In May 2008, Civitas Polling showed 71 percent of voters supported such a measure and 26 percent opposed the measure for a net support of +45.
When further asked if they were more or less likely to vote for a member of the General Assembly to serve another term, who refused to sponsor legislation authorizing a referendum on defining marriage as between “one man and one woman,” 64 percent of respondents said they were less likely to vote for that legislator and only 19 percent of voters said they were more likely to vote for them again. Seventeen percent of voters selected it made no difference, they were not sure or they refused to answer.
“Traditional marriage, as defined as marriage between one man and one woman, is still a powerful issue with North Carolina voters,” said Francis De Luca, executive director of the Civitas Institute.
There is an obvious support for the measure; 76 percent of Democrats, 84 percent of Republicans and 58 percent of unaffiliated voters support a constitutional amendment on marriage. And it resonates with different races: 75 percent of both African-American and white voters support an amendment.
“Support for a constitutional amendment on marriage in North Carolina cuts across all groups and demographics,” said De Luca. “Combined with the two-thirds of voters who said they would consider voting against a legislator for not supporting legislation on a marriage amendment makes this a potential hot button issue in the next election.”
Full text of questions:
“North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast that does not have a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment in North Carolina defining marriage as between one man and one woman?”
Support – 76%
Oppose – 21%
Not Sure – 4%
“Would you be more or less likely to vote for a member of the NC General Assembly who refused to sponsor legislation authorizing a referendum on defining marriage as between one man and one woman”?
More – 19%
Less – 64%
No Difference – 12%
Not Sure – 4%
Refused – 1%
Click here for full results and crosstabs.
The Civitas Poll is the only monthly live-caller poll of critical issues and policies facing North Carolina.
The study of 600 registered voters was conducted Feb.16-19, 2009. All respondents were part of a fully representative sample of registered voters in North Carolina. For purposes of this study, voters we interviewed had to have voted in either the 2004, 2006 or 2008 general elections or were newly registered voters since 2008.
The confidence interval associated with a sample of this size is such that:
95 percent of the time, results from 600 interviews (registered voters) will be within +-4% of the “True Values.” True Values refer to the results obtained if it were possible to interview every person in North Carolina who had voted in either the 2004, 2006 or 2008 general elections or were newly registered voters since 2008.
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If you would like more information regarding this topic or to schedule an interview with Chris Hayes, please contact Gabe Dellinger at 919.747.8065 or Gabe.Dellinger@nccivitas.org.
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