March 19, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the Grand Canyon State believe marriage should be defined as a union between one man and one woman, according to a poll by the Social Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. 52 per cent of respondents support an initiative to amend the state constitution and prohibit benefits to the domestic partners of government workers.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the Grand Canyon State believe marriage should be defined as a union between one man and one woman, according to a poll by the Social Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. 52 per cent of respondents support an initiative to amend the state constitution and prohibit benefits to the domestic partners of government workers.

During the January 2004 State of the Union address, United States president George W. Bush said, "Activist judges (...) have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives."

In 2004, marriage certificates were issued to same-sex couples by local governments in the states of California, Oregon, New Mexico and New York. In May 2004, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay and lesbian partners to apply for marriage licenses, the first state-sanctioned homosexual weddings in the U.S.

Civil unions—currently available in the states of Vermont and Connecticut—give same-sex partners the same legal rights of married couples such as inheritance, insurance and hospital visiting privileges. A California law grants domestic partners the same legal rights of married couples, with the exception of filing joint income tax returns.

Over the past two years, 19 American states have enacted amendments to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman. Four more will hold votes on the matter this year.

In order to get the Protect Marriage Amendment in the ballot for the Nov. 7 election, proponents require at least 183,000 valid signatures by July. The amendment attempts to make it illegal to create a "legal status for unmarried persons (...) that is similar to that of marriage" in Arizona.

Polling Data

One ballot initiative would amend the Arizona constitution to define marriage as a union only between one man and one woman, and would prohibit benefits to the domestic partners of government workers. If the election was held today, would you support or oppose this initiative?

Support	52%
Oppose	40%
Not sure	8%

Source: Social Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 527 registered Arizona voters, conducted from Mar. 3 to Mar. 7, 2006. Margin of error is 4.9 per cent.

Other poll highlights: Strong support for initiatives on raising the state minimum wage, regulating the treatment of confined farm animals, funding children's health programs, and prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces.

Complete Poll (PDF)

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