Exit Poll Shows Latino Voters Go Big for Marriage Equality

After President Obama announced his support for marriage equality in May, political pundits warned about its potentially negative effect on Latino voters. But exit polls should finally put that worry to rest.

ABC News reports that preliminary exit polls show Latino voters support states recognizing marriage equality by a wide margin, and they were actually more likely than other voters to back same-sex marriage.

The poll found that 59% of Latino voters backed marriage equality, compared to 48% of the general public. Polls of Latino voters conducted ahead of the election also found broad support for marriage equality, seeming to quickly dispel the notion that Latinos are more socially conservative on the issue than others.

The public at large is almost evenly split on whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to get legally married. About 48% of voters support it, according to exit polling, while 47% oppose.