North Carolina Marriage Poll

While a slim majority of polled residents say they would vote against North Carolina's pending marriage ban, 61% also say same-sex marriage should remain illegal.

63% of Democrats and 52% of independents would reject the amendment, and even a 47% plurality of Republicans would. Only 37% of them would vote for it. Mirroring an Elon University poll, 61% of African Americans would vote against the amendment. They would be joined by 78% of those under the age of 30 and majorities of every age group, including those over 65, 71% of whom are against gay marriage. Part of the reason for this opposition to both same-sex marriage and an amendment banning it could be that North Carolina voters are in favor of gay couples receiving the same legal rights as married couples do.

When given the option of civil unions, 29% want them, and a quarter still favor full marriage rights, for 54% in support of legal equality, similar to the 55% who oppose the amendment. That includes 63% of independents and 68% of Democrats. “It’s pretty simple: North Carolinians don’t support gay marriage but they also don’t think this constitutional amendment is necessary,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “And they also think this particular proposal goes too far by targeting civil unions, which many voters in the state support.”