Poll Predicts Maryland To Be The First State to Vote For Same-Sex Marriage
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Same-sex marriage has actually only become legal in six states and the District of Columbia through court action or legislation but never by a popular vote.
The poll mirrored a trend toward the acceptance of same-sex marriage, which also includes President Obama’s open support earlier this year.
The poll shows that 53 percent of likely voters support same-sex marriage where as 43 percent don’t.
“I support same-sex marriage,” said Julia Angel-Phillips, a Maryland resident. “Because in the 1960s mixed-marriages were illegal, meaning my family would be illegal, and I see same-sex marriage along the same line. Who are we to tell people who they can and cannot love?”
The poll’s results varied depending on race, region, age, religion, and political affliction.
The greatest degree of support for same-sex marriage was in Montgomery County—65 percent of votes supported it, where as only 31 percent did not.
Outside of the deep South, Maryland has the highest percentage of African American electorate.
Opponents to same-sex marriage have campaigned heavily through traditionally black churches, but supporters have pictured ministers and civil rights leaders as proponents of the initiative.
The poll also found that white residents of Maryland had a large divide among a group of voters—56 percent supported it and 39 percent opposed.
Although the biggest split was among Democrats--76 percent of white Democrats backed same-sex marriage, but only 40 percent of black Democrats said they would vote for it.
Polling is not an accurate indication of what the actual election results will yield. Traditionally, those against same-sex marriage are in reality stronger at the ballot box than the polls predict. According to The Washington Post, “an expected ad blitz from opponents in Maryland has barely begun.”
