NC: latest PPP poll shows voters do not know how extreme the marriage discrimination is

[xchrom]

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2011/12/09/nc-latest-ppp-poll-shows-voters-do-not-know-how-extreme-the-marriage-discrimination-is/

The vote on the amendment is May 8, 2012, so there is not a lot of time to educate voters around the state about just how extreme this ballot initiative is. Public Policy Polling’s latest data shows just how confused many North Carolinians are about the scope of the effect if this is passed. Most North Carolinians are fair-minded and want legal recognition for same-sex relationships…but some of these voters are still in favor of the amendment.

The story with the marriage amendment in North Carolina continues to be the same month after month: voters overwhelmingly support it but a majority of them also support civil unions, suggesting they might not be fully aware of how far the proposal goes. 58% say they’ll vote for the amendment to 32% who are opposed. It has overwhelming support from Republicans (77/16), majority support from independents (52/35), and even plurality support from Democrats (47/43).

At the same time 56% of voters in the state support either gay marriage (27%) or civil unions (29%) with only 40% thinking there should be absolutely no legal recognition for same sex couples. About 20% of North Carolinians support legal recognition for gays and plan to vote for the marriage amendment. Getting those folks to change their minds will be the key for those hoping to defeat it.

That means a huge portion of NC voters must be educated about the amendment, and why they need to get out and vote on May 8.

[knowledgeispwr]

1. The confusion is disheartening.

I will definitely do my part and vote against it. It doesn't help that the vote is on Republican primary day.

[dsc]

3. actually it is primary day

and we might well have more interesting races on our side where it counts. We are likely to have a Price/Miller primary in the liberal vote sink district that the GOP drew. If that primary is as close as I think it will be, we could see white liberal turnout sky high.

[HockeyMom]

2. Sounds like the same amendment that passed in Florida

Barely. It does ban ANY legal recognition (marriage, civil union, domestic partnership) and does not recognize those from other states. The latter part would probably be against the law, but nobody so far has tried to challenge this. Yes, it also bans domestic partnerships of staight couples. It was a religious organaztion that got this on the ballot. Who else?

[William769]

4. Hopefully