Poll suggests shift in Mass. public opinion

by Michael Foust                                                                                   Vol. XVII, No. 6, June/July 2004

Perhaps reflecting a shift in public opinion, a new Zogby International poll shows that a majority of Massachusetts' likely voters affirm the traditional definition of marriage and are split even on the controversial Nov. 18 court decision. The survey of 601 likely voters, conducted Dec. 16-18 for the Coalition for Marriage, found that by a 52-42 percent margin voters believe that marriage should be reserved for opposite-sex couples.

Additionally, 46% of voters say lawmakers should prevent the ruling from taking effect, 48% disagreed.

If correct, the poll reflects a shift in public opinion regarding the decision by the Massachusetts high court favoring same-sex "marriage." Shortly after that decision a Boston Globe poll showed Massachusetts adults supporting the ruling by a 50-38 margin, while a Boston Sunday Herald poll showed voters supporting it by a 49-38 percent margin.

"It seems the more people consider the long-term impact of homosexual marriage on the family and society, the more they oppose homosexual marriage," Ron Crews, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, said in a statement.

The poll also found that 69% of voters want the option of voting on a state constitutional amendment protecting the traditional definition of marriage, although they remain divided on whether it should pass. Forty-eight percent agreed that "marriage is such an important institution that it should be defined in our constitution as the union of a man and a woman." Forty-nine percent disagreed.

The poll also found that 69% of voters believe it is best for children to be raised by a married man and woman.

[The Coalition for Marriage is a group of organizations that want to see the traditional definition of marriage protected by law.]