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New Jerseyans have turned against the proposal to legalize same-sex marriage, something that they supported seven months ago, according to a Quinnipiac University poll made public Wednesday.
They oppose the idea by a slim 49 to 46 percent margin. This reverses the 49 to 43 percent in support of the idea the poll found on April 23.
The latest finding comes as a measure to legalize same-sex marriage has stalled in the Democratic-controlled state Senate and as Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who opposes the idea, prepares to take office on Jan. 19.
About 300 gay activists demonstrated at the Statehouse in Trenton on Monday urging legislators to act on the measure.
"When we asked about gay marriage in April, it won narrow approval,'' said Maurice Carroll, the poll director. "Now that it seems closer to a legislative vote, it loses narrowly with the public."
The poll found same-sex marriage is supported 60 to 34 percent among Democrats, and 49 to 45 percent among Independents, but is opposed 69 to 25 percent by Republicans.
Women support same-sex marriage 53 to 41 percent, while men oppose it 57 to 38 percent. White voters split 49 to 47 percent, while black voters oppose the measure 61 to 28 percent.
Among voters who do support same-sex marriage, 74 percent say the Legislature should pass the measure now, so Gov. Jon Corzine can sign it before he leaves office.
"The biggest drop is among independent voters, who backed the measure 50 - 41 percent in April,'' Carroll said. "And opposition among men spiked from 48 - 44 percent opposed to 57 - 38 percent. If the state Legislature is going to pass it, voters say, do it while Gov. Jon Corzine — a supporter — is still in office. Governor-elect Christopher Christie has said he'd veto it."
New Jersey voters 18 to 34 years old support same-sex marriage 63 to 34 percent, while voters 35 to 54 years old split 47 to 47 percent. Voters over 55 oppose the measure 56 to 37 percent.
Voters with a college degree support the measure 55 to 40 percent, while voters without a degree oppose it 53 to 41 percent.
White Protestants oppose same-sex marriage 60 to 36 percent, as do Catholics 51 to 45 percent. Jews support it 71 to 28 percent.
Support for same-sex marriage also rises with income, as those making less than $50,000 per year oppose it 54 to 39 percent while voters making more than $100,000 per year support it 58 to 36 percent.
Voters said 54 to 40 percent that when Christie selects or reappoints justices to state Supreme Court he should consider only the appointees' qualifications, not their views on controversial issues.
Republican voters are split as 49 percent said Christie should consider an appointee's views on issues, while 47 percent said consider only qualifications. But Independent voters said 62 to 34 percent select judges based only on qualifications, a view shared 51 to 42 percent by Democrats.
"If you're a Republican and your guy has just been elected governor, you want him to pick judges who think like you do," Carroll said. "Democrats won't be naming the judges, so they'll insist on qualified candidates and Independent voters agree."
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
