National (US) Poll * July 17, 2008 * American Voters Oppose Same-Se - Quinnipiac University

Home> Institutes and Centers> Quinnipiac University Polling Institute> National (US)> Release Detail

July 17, 2008 - American Voters Oppose Same-Sex Marriage Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds, But They Don't Want Government To Ban It

Word format American voters oppose same-sex marriage 55 - 36 percent, but they don't want government to get involved in banning the practice, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Democrats support same-sex marriage by a narrow 47 - 43 percent margin, while Republicans oppose it 80 - 14 percent and independent voters oppose it 49 - 43 percent.
Women oppose same-sex marriage 51 - 40 percent and men oppose it 61 - 31 percent.
Voters also say 50 - 44 percent that states should not give legal recognition to same-sex marriages performed in other states, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Given three choices, 32 percent of American voters say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry while 33 percent support civil unions for same-sex couples and 29 percent say there should be no legal recognition for same-sex couples.
But voters oppose 56 - 38 percent amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Democrats oppose such an amendment 64 - 30 percent, as do independent voters 61 - 34 percent, while Republicans favor a constitutional ban 56 - 38 percent.
By a narrow 49 - 45 percent margin, voters nationwide say their states should not attempt to ban same-sex marriage.
"American voters oppose same-sex marriage and they don't want to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, but by a narrow margin, they don't want their states to ban it," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "And they don't want to amend the Constitution on this issue. "Given a range of choices, they divide into thirds - for gay marriage, for civil unions, for a complete ban."
Looking at the U.S. Supreme Court and social issues, American voters narrowly disapprove 43 - 39 percent of the job the Court is doing, the lowest rating in five years of Quinnipiac University surveys on the Court and the first time the Court has received a negative score. Voters say 42 - 33 percent that the Supreme Court is moving in the wrong direction.
While 33 percent of voters say the Court is "about right," 25 percent say it is too liberal and 31 percent say it is too conservative.
A total of 87 percent say a President's power to appoint Supreme Court justices is "very important" or "somewhat important" in their vote this November.
By a 63 - 33 percent margin, American voters support the 1973 Roe v Wade decision. But Americans remain divided on the issue of abortion:
19 percent say abortion should be legal in all cases; 38 percent say it should be legal in most cases; 24 percent say it should be illegal in most cases; 14 percent say it should be illegal in all cases.
By a 54 - 40 percent margin voters nationwide support stricter gun control laws, but voters oppose 78 - 17 percent amending the U.S. Constitution to ban individual gun ownership.
American voters favor the death penalty 63 - 29 percent for persons convicted of murder, but when offered a different choice, 47 percent favor the death penalty for convicted murderers while 44 percent favor life without parole.
By a 55 - 38 percent margin, voters favor the death penalty for a person convicted of raping a child. Women and men are consistent in their support.
American voters support 53 - 41 percent giving money to faith-based organizations to help them run social programs. But voters say 77 - 16 percent groups which receive federal funds can not discriminate by hiring only members of their own faith.
"Most Republicans are leery of gun control; most Democrats are for it, but nobody wants a Constitutional amendment to ban guns," Carroll said. "Should President Bush's support of federal money for faith-based organizations survive his time in the White House? A small majority think so, more Democrats than Republicans," Carroll said.
From July 8 -13, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,783 voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States Supreme Court is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 39% 46% 34% 41% 46% 33% 42% 32% Disapprove 43 35 49 41 40 45 41 53 DK/NA 18 19 17 19 13 22 17 15
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States Supreme Court is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 17 Aug 16 May 3 Dec 7 Jul 27 May 3 Jul 17 2008 2007 2007 2005 2005 2007 2008 Approve 39 45 58 50 50 58 39 Disapprove 43 37 27 32 39 27 43 DK/NA 18 17 15 17 11 15 18
19. Do you think the United States Supreme Court is moving in the right direction or the wrong direction?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Right direction 33% 44% 25% 35% 40% 27% 35% 28% Wrong direction 42 34 51 37 41 43 41 43 DK/NA 25 22 24 28 19 29 23 29
TREND: Do you think the United States Supreme Court is moving in the right direction or the wrong direction?
Jul 17 Aug 16 2008 2007 Right direction 33 39 Wrong direction 42 37 DK/NA 25 25
20. The next President may have the opportunity to make several nominations to the Supreme Court. How important is the appointment of Supreme Court Justices in your vote for President this year - very important, somewhat important, or not important at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very important 48% 55% 49% 42% 50% 47% 46% 54% Somewhat important 39 32 41 42 36 41 40 35 Not important at all 12 12 9 15 14 10 12 10 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 - 2 1 2
TREND: The next President may have the opportunity to make several nominations to the Supreme Court. How important is the appointment of Supreme Court Justices in your vote for President this* year - very important, somewhat important, or not important at all? * 8/16/07 = "next" year
Jul 17 Aug 16 2008 2007 Very important 48 52 Somewhat important 39 36 Not important at all 12 11 DK/NA 1 2
21. Do you think the Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or about right?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Liberal 25% 44% 12% 25% 27% 24% 27% 22% Conservative 31 13 51 25 31 32 29 38 About right 33 36 27 39 36 31 34 27 DK/NA 10 6 11 11 6 13 9 12
TREND: Do you think the Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or about right? * All Adults
Jul 17 Aug 16 Mar 5 2008 2007 2003* Liberal 25 20 19 Conservative 31 29 26 About right 33 37 46 DK/NA 10 13 10
22. Is your opinion of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts favorable, unfavorable, mixed or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 17% 33% 7% 16% 22% 12% 19% 2% Unfavorable 7 2 9 6 7 6 7 4 Mixed 18 13 22 20 20 17 19 15 Hvn't hrd enough 57 51 60 57 50 63 53 77 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 2
TREND: Is your opinion of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts favorable, unfavorable, mixed or haven't you heard enough about him?
Jul 17 Aug 16 2008 2007 Favorable 17 21 Unfavorable 7 9 Mixed 18 21 Hvn't hrd enough 57 49 REFUSED 1 1
23. Which comes closer to your point of view? A) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should only consider the original intentions of the authors of the Constitution or B) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should consider changing times and current realities in applying the principles of the Constitution?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk A)Original intentions 40% 59% 27% 40% 46% 35% 42% 30% B)Changing times 52 35 64 53 48 55 50 62 DK/NA 8 6 9 7 6 10 7 8
TREND: Which comes closer to your point of view?: A) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should only consider the original intentions of the authors of the Constitution or B) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should consider changing times and current realities in applying the principles of the Constitution. * All Adults
Jul 17 Aug 16 Jul 27 May 25 Mar 5 2008 2007 2005 2005 2003 * A)Original intentions 40 43 44 42 39 B)Changing times 52 48 50 51 54 DK/NA 8 9 6 8 7
24. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Legal all cases 19% 11% 24% 20% 16% 21% 19% 20% Legal most cases 38 29 44 38 36 39 38 33 Illegal most cases 24 32 17 27 28 21 24 26 Illegal all cases 14 23 10 10 13 15 14 14 DK/NA 5 4 5 5 7 4 5 7
TREND: Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
Jul 17 Aug 16 May 3 Dec 7 Jul 27 May 25 Mar 10 2008 2007 2007 2005 2005 2005 2005 Legal all cases 19 21 17 19 20 18 19 Legal most cases 38 36 37 38 37 37 35 Illegal most cases 24 24 26 25 24 27 24 Illegal all cases 14 13 13 14 12 14 15 DK/NA 5 6 7 4 7 5 6
25. In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe versus Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Agree 63% 43% 77% 65% 59% 66% 61% 73% Disagree 33 53 19 30 37 29 34 21 DK/NA 5 4 4 4 4 5 4 5
TREND: In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion? * All adults
Jul 17 Aug 16 Dec 7 Jul 27 May 25 Mar 5 2008 2007 2005 2005 2005 2003* Agree 63 62 63 65 63 62 Disagree 33 32 32 30 33 35 DK/NA 5 6 5 6 5 3
26. In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 36% 14% 47% 43% 31% 40% 37% 25% Oppose 55 80 43 49 61 51 54 68 DK/NA 9 5 10 8 8 9 9 7
27. Which would you prefer? Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Marry 32% 14% 44% 32% 26% 37% 32% 29% Civil unions 33 35 30 37 36 30 34 23 No recognition 29 45 21 26 32 26 29 40 DK/NA 6 6 6 5 6 7 6 8 SameSexMarriageQ26 Supp Opp Marry 76% 4% Civil unions 21 40 No recognition 1 51 DK/NA 2 5
28. Do you think states should give legal recognition to same-sex marriages performed in other states or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 44% 19% 58% 48% 38% 49% 44% 38% No 50 74 37 46 57 44 50 60 DK/NA 6 7 5 5 6 7 6 2
29. Would you support or oppose a law in your state that would ban same-sex marriage?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 45% 64% 32% 45% 48% 42% 45% 48% Oppose 49 31 62 50 47 51 49 47 DK/NA 6 5 6 5 6 7 7 5
30. Would you support or oppose amending the United States Constitution to ban same- sex marriage?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 38% 56% 30% 34% 41% 35% 36% 51% Oppose 56 38 64 61 54 58 58 43 DK/NA 6 6 6 5 5 7 6 6
TREND: Would you support or oppose amending the United States Constitution to ban same-sex marriage?
Jul 17 Nov 22 Dec 15 Jul 24 Mar 25 2008 2006 2004 2004 2004 Support 38 43 43 39 41 Oppose 56 53 53 55 51 DK/NA 6 4 4 6 8
31. Do you support or oppose stricter gun control laws in the United States?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 54% 32% 72% 51% 43% 65% 50% 70% Oppose 40 63 23 43 54 28 45 26 DK/NA 5 4 5 5 4 7 6 4 Gun OwnersQ38 Support 37% Oppose 57 DK/NA 6
32. Would you support or oppose amending the United States Constitution to ban individual gun ownership?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 17% 9% 24% 14% 10% 23% 12% 34% Oppose 78 88 69 79 87 69 82 63 DK/NA 6 3 7 6 3 8 6 3 Gun OwnersQ38 Support 7% Oppose 90 DK/NA 3
33. (Split Sample A) Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted of murder?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favor 63% 75% 54% 66% 68% 58% Oppose 29 16 38 27 25 33 DK/NA 8 9 8 6 7 9
TREND: (Split sample A) Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted or murder? * All adults
Jul 17 Dec 14 Jun 12 Mar 5 2008 2004 2003* 2003* Favor 63 62 65 64 Oppose 29 29 25 29 DK/NA 8 9 10 7
34. (Split Sample A) The Supreme Court has recently ruled that a mandatory death penalty for child rape is unconstitutional. Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted of child rape?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favor 55% 61% 50% 55% 54% 55% Oppose 38 29 46 39 38 39 DK/NA 7 10 4 6 9 5
35. (Split Sample B) Which punishment do you prefer for people convicted of murder: the death penalty or life in prison with no chance of parole?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Death penalty 47% 60% 34% 51% 56% 39% Life/No parole 44 32 58 35 35 51 DK/NA 9 8 7 14 9 10
TREND: (Split sample B) Which punishment do you prefer for people convicted of murder: the death penalty or life in prison with no chance of parole? * All adults
Jul 17 Dec 14 Jun 12 Mar 5 2008 2004 2003* 2003* Death penalty 47 42 44 46 Life/no parole 44 46 45 47 DK/NA 9 12 11 8
36. Do you support or oppose giving federal money to faith-based organizations, such as churches or synagogues, to help them run social programs?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 53% 52% 57% 52% 51% 56% 49% 76% Oppose 41 43 39 43 46 38 45 21 DK/NA 5 6 5 5 4 6 6 3
37. Do you think that these faith-based organizations that receive federal money should be able to discriminate in favor of hiring people of their own faith?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 16% 27% 9% 15% 19% 13% 17% 14% No 77 67 84 77 75 78 76 79 DK/NA 7 7 7 8 6 9 7 7
38. Do you or does anyone in your house own a gun, or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 44% 55% 35% 48% 54% 36% 48% 27% No 54 43 63 51 44 62 50 72 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1