Sep 23, 2013
POLL: NC Support for Marriage Equality on the Rise
Elon, N.C. — A new poll released on September 20, 2013, from NC-based Elon University Polling found that 43% of North Carolinians now support full marriage equality for same-gender couples. This represents a five percentage point increase in support for the freedom to marry in only seven months.
A similar poll, conducted by Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling in February 2013, showed support for marriage equality at 38%. Paired with 30% support for civil unions, the February poll also revealed that a vast majority of North Carolinians support some form of relationship recognitions for the state's gay and lesbian couples.
“It comes as no surprise that every new poll we see reveals new support for the freedom to marry,” said Chris Sgro, executive director, Equality NC.
“These results simply reflect the dramatic momentum in support of the LGBT community we see every day in every corner of the Tar Heel State. Majority support for marriage equality – a plurality of support that already exists in favor of equality in the workplace, housing, and accommodations – is now a not-so-distant inevitability and should signal a clarion call to North Carolina leaders that the constituent demand for LGBT equality is not an ‘if’ proposition, but a ‘when.’”
CLICK HERE to view the full survey results.
The poll drew national attention in the context of the state's upcoming U.S. Senatorial race in 2014, as the National Journal pointed out the Elon numbers reveal a changing electorate more accepting marriage equality, despite the 2012 passage of Amendment One, the state's constitutional ban on relationship recognitions for gay and lesbian couples.
"The broader North Carolina electorate appears to be much more conflicted about same-sex marriage than last year's Amendment One victory would indicate. A new Elon University poll out Friday shows that North Carolina voters are relatively split on the issue, with 47 percent saying they oppose gay marriage and 43 percent voicing support (the poll 3.7 percent has a margin of error)...". (National Journal, September 23, 2013)
The Elon University Poll conducted a live-caller, dual frame (landline and cell phone) survey of 701 registered voters on Sept. 13-16, 2013. The survey has a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points and asks a battery of questions related to public policies debated and, in some cases, changed during North Carolina’s most recent legislative session.