Field Poll: Majority of California Voters Oppose Prop. 8  | News | Advocate.com

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07/19/08-07/21/08
Field Poll: Majority of California Voters Oppose Prop. 8

The majority of California voters oppose Proposition 8, a proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in the state, the Associated Press reported Friday.

According to the AP, the newly released California Field Poll survey found that 51% of voters will likely vote against Prop. 8, while 42% of voters support the proposed amendment. Democrats and Republican voters were starkly split on the issue, with 63% of Democrats indicating they would vote down the measure and 68% of Republicans saying they would vote for it. Independents rejected the ban 66% to 27%. The poll, conducted by Field Research Corp., randomly surveyed 672 likely voters during the week of July 8–14.

The survey shows a change from 2000, when 61% of voters were in favor of Proposition 22, an amendment that supported the state’s 1978 ban on same-sex marriage.

The 1978 ban was overturned in May of this year, making same-sex marriages legal in the state of California. Proposition 8 was constructed in response to the new ruling. (The Advocate) 

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Reader Comments

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  • Name: NA
    Date posted: 2008-09-26 12:59 AM
    Hometown: CA

    Comment:

    How can it be that so many in California want prevent same sex marriages from being allowed? In a country that professes freedom and equality for all, why shouldn't anyone be allowed to express their love through marriage? There are millions of underrepresented people who are being denied the right to marry those they love, whether those of the same sex, 7 year old children, cows or inanimate objects. Why shouldn't all of these relationships be state sanctioned and marriage allowed. We must be able to teach our children that these relationships are normal and acceptable - never mind that any 10 year old learning biology can recognize that these types of relationships don't proliferate in nature. Humans are capable of creativity that should be celebrated! And if disease or social problems arise as a result, we will always find ways to justify our choices. Even good, intelligent people should be free to proliferate destructive behavior and lifestyles. Call it natural selection...


  • Name: Carol
    Date posted: 2008-08-18 11:12 PM
    Hometown: NC

    Comment:

    "They cannot stand the idea that there are people out there that think what they are doing is sinful." Whether or not anyone believes it is sinful is legally irrelevant. This is a pluralistic society with freedom of religion, and one religion shouldn't be able to force conformity to their religious beliefs on everyone simply because they are a majority. I'm heterosexual, but I fully support both their right to marry and their right to reject this antiquated morality system (aka 'religion').


  • Name: Stan
    Date posted: 2008-08-08 3:20 AM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    I find it ironic that supporters of rights for "those experiencing same sex attraction" preech all day long about tolerance and acceptance, but they cannot tolerate or acceptance ideas which are different from their own. They cannot stand the idea that there are people out there that think what they are doing is sinful. They intimidate those who disagree with labels such as "hateful" or "bigoted". Just because you call someone "hateful" for believing that homosexuality is wrong, does not make it true. Narrow minded homosexists!


  • Name: Sally
    Date posted: 2008-08-08 3:09 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Gay is NOT ok


  • Name: Brian Minto
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 6:38 PM
    Hometown: Encino, California

    Comment:

    I would like someone to tell me what the Stature of Liberty stands for. ? And when these Bigots talk about Marriage between one man and one woman....why is there so many divorces and whey are sop many even politicans like John McCain on his second marriage... Did it not married his first wife for better for worst....but when things got bad he sdecided he need a change and a lady with money. Where are the bigots on this argument... no where to be found..... This Country was founded on Equality for all. So Lets live by it and not show the world that Anerica is nothing b ut a two time stabber in the back...


  • Name: Paul Leyden
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 6:08 PM
    Hometown: Canaan, NY

    Comment:

    I just finished reading Leslie Jordan's memoir and something he wrote caused me to laugh and then become serious when I thought more about it. He said, "I don't care about the separation of church and state, when are we going to see the separation of church and hate". Thank you Leslie. I'm not blaming all the churches for this attitude but bigotry from the pulpit has got to stop.


  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 5:47 PM
    Hometown: Palm Springs

    Comment:

    Ain't it a crying shame that millions of dollars are being spent buy the bigot and hate mongers to foolishly attempt to pass Prop. 8, an amendment that by it's very nature is unconstitutional according to the California Constitution. Think of the good this money could do. You could buy several meals for thousands of homeless people and probably have enough money left over for a brain transplant for Bush. And another thing, what the hell does some religious Arizona hate group have any business sticking it's brown nose in the affairs of California?


  • Name: Rico Camacho
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 3:53 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    "I Believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." - Martin Luther King, Jr.


  • Name: Mitchell M.
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 3:11 PM
    Hometown: Seattle, WA

    Comment:

    It never ceases to amaze me, the quantity of people in the United States who are so very provincial and less tolerant of other peoples differences. Even a country like Germany, once known for its horrible human rights violations, has become far more progressive than us. The citizens of California now have a chance to prove to the rest of the nation, and the word, that Massachusetts isn't the only state in the union that will not abide discrimination. I certain you can do this!


  • Name: Rich Costabile
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 1:16 PM
    Hometown: Weehawken,NJ

    Comment:

    Why does it seem so WRONG that there will be a VOTE for or against the human rights of LGBT people?!?!? Since when did human rights become a majority-rules issue? That being said, I'm sure rootin' for the good guys (and gals) in California in November!


  • Name: Jack
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 4:00 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    The real news in this poll is the number voting for it: 42%- a rather weak showing, given the rancor, influence, and hate of the religious "right". If our side maintains momentum, and we get people to the polls, we should win. But let's not take anything for granted.


  • Name: Brad Shreve
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 2:45 PM
    Hometown: Lomita, CA

    Comment:

    The problem is not how many oppose Prop. 8, it's how many will get to the polls. The supporters will be out in full force, I hope the rest aren't too complacent that we lose this one because of it.


  • Name: Bob Johnson
    Date posted: 2008-07-18 9:26 PM
    Hometown: Boise, ID

    Comment:

    They only need 50.1% of people to vote against the amendment and it dies a loud and rancorous death. Come on California! You can do it! Freedom and equality for all people!


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