Minnesota Lawyer
file photo: Peter Bartz-Gallagher Demonstrators on both sides of the gay marriage issue gathered outside the Minnesota House Chamber on May 19, 2011 as the chamber prepared to vote on the gay marriage ban constitutional amendment that will appear on this November’s ballot.
A majority of Minnesota voters are opposed to a proposed constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman, according to results released Wednesday by the St. Cloud State University Survey. The annual poll found that 51 percent of respondents are opposed to the amendment, while 44 percent support it.
The SCSU Survey also found strong support for the proposed constitutional amendment requiring voters to produce photo identification at the polls. Of those surveyed, 55 percent indicated support for the measure, while 39 percent stated opposition.
The annual survey was conducted from October 15 to 21. It included 601 respondents, 272 on cell phones and 329 on land lines. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
The results are fairly similar to other recent polls on the constitutional amendments. Public Policy Polling found that 46 percent of respondents supported the marriage amendment while 49 percent opposed it, in a survey released earlier this month. Similarly a SurveyUSA poll released last week showed 47 percent of respondents supporting the marriage amendment and 46 percent opposing it. However, polling on the divisive issue has consistently under-estimated support for gay marriage bans.
The same surveys indicate that the photo ID amendment faces significantly less opposition. The SurveyUSA poll found 53 percent support and 40 percent opposition. PPP determined that the amendment is supported by a 56-39 percent margin.
The SCSU Survey anticipate releasing results on the presidential contest in Minnesota and other races on Thursday.
