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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Californians Split On Marriage Amendment
Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA's Flags of All Countries used with permission.
(CPOD) Feb. 27, 2004 - Residents of California are divided over modifying the constitution to allow wedlock for homosexual partners, according to a poll by the Los Angeles Times. 47 per cent of respondents favor an amendment that would prevent states from allowing same-sex marriage, while 46 per cent disagree.
On Feb. 24, U.S. president George W. Bush asked the U.S. Congress to enact a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union between a man and a woman.
The regulations regarding constitutional amendments in the U.S. establish a two-step process. First, two-thirds of members in both the House of Representatives and the Senate --or two thirds of the country's state legislatures-- must vote to request the change. In order for the amendment to be ratified, it must be approved by 38 of the country's 50 state legislatures.
Since Feb. 12, the city of San Francisco has issued more than 3,200 marriage certificates to homosexual couples. Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated at one of the ceremonies on Feb. 20. State governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asked California attorney general Bill Lockyer to "take immediate steps" to stop the gay and lesbian weddings.
In the United States, legal status to same-sex partners is offered --in the form of a civil union-- only in the state of Vermont. 38 per cent of respondents support such agreements.
Polling Data
Do you favor or oppose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that legally defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman only, and would prevent states from legally recognizing same-sex marriages?
Favor | 47% |
Oppose | 46% |
Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
Same-sex couples should be | 32% |
Same-sex couples should be | 38% |
Same-sex couples should not be allowed | 25% |
Source: Los Angeles Times
Methodology: Interviews to 1,936 adult California residents, conducted from Feb. 18 to Feb. 22, 2004. Margin of error is 2 per cent.