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Fifty-six percent of North Carolina residents oppose a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, according to the latest Elon University poll, and the number of people who would prefer to see no legal recognition for same-sex couples has dropped since pollsters asked the same question two years ago.
The poll, conducted Monday through Thursday, surveyed 594 North Carolina residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. The Elon University Poll does not restrict respondents by voter eligibility or likelihood of voting.
North Carolinians will go to the polls in May to vote on the constitutional amendment. Lawmakers in Raleigh approved the ballot measure late this summer.
"The ballot referendum that would ban same sex marriage will be the issue to watch this year," said Mileah Kromer, assistant director of the Elon University Poll. "With North Carolinians so divided on this issue, expect a tough battle over the next few months as both sides attempt to sway public opinion in their favor."
Thirty-four percent of people polled oppose any recognition for same-sex couples, down from 44 percent in March 2009. Thirty-three percent support full marriage rights, up from 21 percent in March 2009. Twenty-nine percent support civil unions or partnerships, but not full marriage rights. That's about the same as the 28 percent who took that position in 2009.
