Strong Majority of Voters in NJ in Favor Of Marriage Equality

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Written by: Bridgette P. LaVictoire  

Snow is coming…rain, snow, wind, ice….but while we are heading into Winter guess what…New Jerseyites are supporting same-sex marriage. In fact, they have not really budged since August. Fifty-two percent of New Jerseyites support same-sex marriage according to the new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, and 61 % support it if it is called ‘marriage equality’.

Only 39% of respondents oppose legalizing same-sex marriage with that dropping twelve points to twenty-seven percent when the term ‘marriage equality’ is used. Nine percent in both wordings have no opinion, and three percent had never heard of marriage equality.

Poll director David Redlawsk, a professor of political science at Rutgers University, stated that “Support for legalizing same-sex relations in New Jersey continues to be solid. Young people are overwhelmingly in favor, though a majority of all age groups is supportive, except for those 65 and over. Whatever it is called, support for state recognition of same-sex marriage remains strong and most likely will grow over time.”

The strongest support came from the younger people, women and those who knew someone who is lesbian or gay. Catholics are stronger supporters than Protestants. They also are stronger supporters of marriage equality. Democrats and independents both have majority support, but Republicans oppose same-sex marriage or marriage equality.

http://lezgetreal.com  According to South Brunswick:

Results are from a poll of 903 adults conducted statewide among both landline and cell phone households from Oct. 6-9. The full sample has a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points. The two different versions of the same-sex marriage question were asked of randomly selected half- samples.

The margin of error for these questions is +/-4.7 percentage points.

Language matters: ‘marriage equality’ overwhelmingly favored

While support measured with the term “marriage equality” is stronger than for “gay marriage,” by 61 percent to 52 percent, certain groups are especially influenced by the name change. Support among those who never attended college jumps 25 points to 66 percent for marriage equality, while support among men climbs 16 points to 63 percent.

Women, stronger supporters of the issue in the first place, are less influenced; their support increases 3 points to 59 percent when marriage equality is used to describe the relationship. Catholics are also particularly responsive to reframing the issue: 49 percent favor legalizing gay marriage but rises 63 percent when asked about marriage equality.

Redlawsk stated that “This illustrates how language used to describe an issue really matters. While on the whole, New Jerseyans are ready to see the state legalize same-sex marriage, calling the issue marriage equality minimizes many of the differences between groups we see when gay marriage is used. Americans have a deep belief in equality as a concept. When equality is attached to same-sex relationships, it generates a more positive response based on that underlying ideal.”

New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie opposes marriage equality.