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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPPP: Gay Marriage Likely to Pass in Maryland (Obama endorsement key)
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Maryland finds a significant increase in support for same-sex marriage among African American voters following President Obamas historic announcement two weeks ago. The referendum to keep the states new law legalizing same-sex marriage now appears likely to pass by a healthy margin. Here are some key findings:
-57% of Maryland voters say theyre likely to vote for the new marriage law this fall, compared to only 37% who are opposed. That 20 point margin of passage represents a 12 point shift from an identical PPP survey in early March, which found it ahead by a closer 52/44 margin.
-The movement over the last two months can be explained almost entirely by a major shift in opinion about same-sex marriage among black voters. Previously 56% said they would vote against the new law with only 39% planning to uphold it. Those numbers have now almost completely flipped, with 55% of African Americans planning to vote for the law and only 36% now opposed.
-The big shift in attitudes toward same-sex marriage among black voters in Maryland is reflective of whats happening nationally right now. A new ABC/Washington Post poll finds 59% of African Americans across the country supportive of same-sex marriage. A PPP poll in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania last weekend found a shift of 19 points in favor of same-sex marriage among black voters.
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/maryland-polling-memo.html
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)yellowcanine
(35,704 posts)County who have been leading the charge against marriage equality. That is basically why it didn't pass last year. Individual parishioners are more tolerant but many may be unwilling to go against their pastor. Having Obama's blessing on it could help a great deal.
LibertyLover
(4,788 posts)into DC's marriage equality decision. If I recall correctly one of the biggest and loudest blowhards against DC's marriage equality law was some preacher from a mega-chruch in PG County. His excuse was that many of his congregation either came from DC or had family in DC. AAARRRRRGGGGH!
AnnieBW
(10,472 posts)that's got a bee in his bonnet about same-sex marriage. He drives me nuts!
I'm driving through Western Maryland this weekend on my way to the 'Burgh. If ANYONE asks me to sign a petition against same-sex marriage, I'll tell them to go pound.
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,257 posts)iandhr
(6,852 posts)bigtree
(86,015 posts)thanks for posting, WI_DEM!
Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)I have a completely unrealistic hope that opponents won't even get enough signatures to be on the ballot, although I know they will. I'm very happy about this poll, though.
Way to go, freedom state!
trickyguy
(769 posts)For being a truly principaled leader of, not only this country, but
of your Black community. We needed him to speak out and turn the tide
for gay and lesbian Americans. Equal not less than.