Poll: Same-Sex Marriage Likely to Be Upheld in Maryland

A new Public Policy Polling survey shows that a referendum to keep Maryland’s law allowing same-sex marriage, which is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, is likely to pass.

According to the poll, 57 percent of likely voters say they would support upholding the law, while 37 percent would oppose it. That represents a 12-point shift from a poll that was conducted two months ago, thanks largely to increased support among black voters.

The Huffington Post:

The poll notes that the shift can be explained “almost entirely” by a change in black voters’ attitudes. Previously, 56 percent said they would vote against the new law, with 39 percent saying they would vote for uphold it. Now, 55 percent say they will vote for the law and 36 percent are opposed.

President Barack Obama came out for gay marriage between the polls, amid rising support for same-sex unions.

A Washington Post/ABC poll also showed that black public opinion shifted after Obama’s announcement, with 59 percent of blacks saying they backed same-sex marriage, an 18-point shift compared to polls leading up to the survey. PPP also released a poll showing an 11-point jump in North Carolina favor for gay marriage among black voters following the passage of Amendment One, which banned gay marriage, domestic partnerships and civil unions.

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