Poll: N.J. voters back marriage equality | Politicker NJ

Poll: N.J. voters back marriage equality | Politicker NJ

Poll: N.J. voters back marriage equalityBy Editor
Category: LocalTags: Zogby, same sex marriage, poll, marriage equality, Garden State Equality
Most New Jerseyans support same sex marriage and an even greater percentage have no problem if the state joins Massachusetts and California in passing a same sex marriage law, according to a Zogby International poll conducted by Garden State Equality, a civil rights organization that advocates marriage equality and other gay rights issues.

By a 50%-42% margin, likely New Jersey voters support allowing same sex couples to marry. 59% say they would be fine with a same sex marriage law, and 57% say New Jersey should recognize same sex marriages that took place outside New Jersey.

Asked if allowing same sex marriage would “hurt the institution of marriage for heterosexual couples,” 67% of voters said it would make no difference; 30% said same sex marriage would hurt the institution of marriage.

State legislators who vote in favor of same sex marriage would get re-elected, according to 71% of the likely voters surveyed.

“No one should doubt the meaning of these numbers,” said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality. “New Jersey wants to end discrimination in marriage, and is ready for our public officials to do it right now. The civil union law is one the greatest civil rights failures of our time. New Jersey sees that, and understands that justice delayed is justice denied.”