Connecticut (CT) Poll * April 7, 2005 * Connecticut Voters Back Same S - Quinnipiac University

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April 7, 2005 - Connecticut Voters Back Same Sex Civil Unions, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; But Most Oppose Gay Marriage

By a 56 - 37 percent margin Connecticut voters support a law allowing same-sex civil unions allowing many of the legal rights provided married couples, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. But by a smaller 53 - 42 percent margin, voters oppose a law allowing same-sex couples to marry, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
Democrats back same-sex civil unions 66 - 29 percent and gay marriage 53 - 42 percent. Republicans are narrowly divided on civil unions, with 45 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed. But Republicans opposed gay marriage 70 - 26 percent. Independent voters support civil unions 56 - 37 percent, but oppose gay marriage 52 - 42 percent.
Women voters support civil unions 60 - 34 percent, but split 47 - 48 percent on gay marriage. Men back civil unions 52 - 42 percent, but oppose gay marriage 59 - 36 percent.
"Connecticut voters are more liberal than the rest of the nation on the issues of same-sex civil unions and gay marriage. They support one, but not the other," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
"Voters nationwide oppose both civil unions and gay marriage."
In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 26 percent of Connecticut voters list the economy or jobs as the most important problem in the state, followed by 19 percent who list taxes.
A total of 60 percent of voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the way things are going in Connecticut today, with 40 percent who are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."
Connecticut's economy is "not so good" or "poor," according to 53 percent of voters, with 45 percent who say the economy is "excellent" or "good."
From March 29 to April 4, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,541 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Very Smwht Smwht Very sat sat dis dis DK/NA Apr 7, 2005 6 54 29 11 1 Feb 18, 2005 5 53 29 12 1 Jan 13, 2005 10 57 24 8 2 Nov 24, 2004 8 58 23 10 1 Aug 19, 2004 7 50 29 12 3 Jun 30, 2004 3 48 31 16 2 Jun 4, 2004 3 43 36 18 1 Nov 21, 2003 4 43 33 19 1 Oct 9, 2003 4 38 34 23 1 Jul 31, 2003 4 34 37 24 1 Apr 30, 2003 4 40 38 18 1 Mar 13, 2003 4 32 34 29 1 Oct 2, 2002 10 57 24 8 1 Jul 31, 2002 7 58 26 8 1 May 23, 2002 9 62 21 7 1 Feb 14, 2002 11 63 21 5 1 Dec 19, 2001 14 63 18 3 1 Feb 22, 2001 13 60 20 6 1 Oct 21, 1998 21 62 14 3 - Oct 1, 1998 20 61 14 4 1 Jun 24, 1998 14 61 17 6 1 Apr 1, 1998 14 59 19 6 1 Feb 18, 1998 14 60 20 6 1 Nov 19, 1997 7 54 28 10 1 Oct 8, 1997 8 52 28 12 1 Apr 24, 1995 4 35 40 20 1
TREND: Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as: Excellent good, not so good, or poor?
Not so Exlnt Good good Poor DK/NA Apr 7, 2005 2 43 41 12 2 Nov 24, 2004 2 51 36 8 3 Jun 4, 2004 1 41 42 14 2 Nov 21, 2003 2 37 43 18 1 Oct 9, 2003 1 29 47 22 1 Jul 31, 2003 1 28 47 23 1 Mar 13, 2003 1 22 50 26 1 Dec 20, 2001 3 51 38 7 1
TREND: During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Connecticut will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Get Get Stay Better Worse Same DK/NA Apr 7, 2005 22 23 51 4 Nov 24, 2004 31 14 52 3 Nov 21, 2003 38 13 47 2 Oct 9, 2003 30 17 50 3 Jul 31, 2003 29 18 50 3 Mar 13, 2003 20 30 45 5 Dec 20, 2001 29 15 53 2
TREND: Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
Better Worse Off Off Same DK/NA Apr 7, 2005 39 35 25 1 Nov 24, 2004 40 32 26 1 Nov 21, 2003 37 41 21 1 Oct 9, 2003 32 46 20 1 Jul 31, 2003 35 42 22 1 Mar 13, 2003 27 50 22 1
TREND: Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions, giving them many of the legal rights of married couples?
Supp Opp DK/NA Apr 7, 2005 56 37 6 Jun 4, 2004 59 35 6 Oct 10, 2003 51 43 6
TREND: Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married?
Supp Opp DK/NA Apr 7, 2005 42 53 6 Jun 4, 2004 45 50 5 Oct 10, 2003 44 50 6
31. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 6% 10% 5% 5% 6% 6% Smwht satisfied 54 55 55 54 52 56 Smwht dissatisfied 29 28 28 28 29 29 Very dissatisfied 11 7 11 13 13 9 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Very satisfied 8% 5% 3% 7% 2% Smwht satisfied 64 58 34 49 49 Smwht dissatisfied 22 26 47 31 34 Very dissatisfied 5 12 15 12 13 DK/NA 1 - - 1 1
32. What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today?
Tot Economy Total: 26% Economy general 5 Unemployment/jobs 15 Cost of living 3 Businesses leaving/ Outsourcing 3 Taxes Total: 19% Taxes general 13 Property tax 3 Gas tax 2 Income Tax 1 Budget Total: 10% Budget general 4 Budget cuts/Cuts in services 1 Budget deficits 3 Government too big/Gov spending 1 Budget priorities 1 Education Total: 8% Education general 5 Funding education 3 Transportaion Total: 6% Highway traffic/ congestion 2 Poor condition of roads/highways 1 Transportation other 3 Politicians Total: 4% Political corruption 3 Governor/State leadership 1 Healthcare/Costs/ Insurance/HMO's 3 Crime/Violence general 1 Class inequality 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Gas prices 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Senior issues 1 Other 4 DK/NA 5
36. Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as: Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 2% 3% 2% 2% 3% 2% Good 43 52 39 43 50 37 Not so good 41 35 41 42 34 47 Poor 12 9 14 11 12 13 DK/NA 2 - 3 1 1 2 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Excellent 4% 3% 1% 2% 1% Good 51 38 39 41 46 Not so good 34 48 35 41 38 Poor 9 11 24 14 12 DK/NA 2 - 1 2 3
37. During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Connecticut will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Get better 22% 31% 18% 21% 24% 21% Get worse 23 17 24 24 23 23 Stay the same 51 48 53 51 51 51 DK/NA 4 4 5 4 3 5 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Get better 22% 23% 19% 26% 16% Get worse 18 25 23 22 29 Stay the same 55 50 52 50 49 DK/NA 5 3 6 3 6
38. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better off 39% 52% 33% 38% 44% 35% Worse off 35 25 40 35 31 38 SAME(VOL) 25 21 25 26 24 26 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Better off 44% 36% 29% 42% 35% Worse off 29 38 43 31 40 SAME(VOL) 24 24 28 26 24 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 1
39. Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions, giving them many of the legal rights of married couples?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 56% 45% 66% 56% 52% 60% Oppose 37 48 29 37 42 34 DK/NA 6 7 5 7 6 6 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Support 58% 56% 51% 54% 60% Oppose 35 38 42 39 34 DK/NA 6 7 7 6 6
40. Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 42% 26% 53% 42% 36% 47% Oppose 53 70 42 52 59 48 DK/NA 6 3 6 6 6 5 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Support 45% 40% 39% 41% 42% Oppose 50 54 56 54 52 DK/NA 5 6 4 6 6