New Jersey voters are backing Gov. Chris Christie’s call for a referendum on same-sex marriage and would likely approve the initiative by a margin of 53 percent to 43 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.
The poll shows 67 percent to 27 percent of 1,582 registered voters surveyed May 9-14 would like to see the question of legalizing gay marriage on the ballot come November. Christie vetoed a same-sex measure passed by the state legislature, but has said repeatedly that he thinks the question should be put to voters.
The poll found a large age gap when it comes to support for gay marriage, however, even though it would likely pass.
For example, 77 percent of voters under 35 who were surveyed said they would support it, with 58 percent of voters ranging in age from 35 to 54 saying they would vote for it as well.
But voters over 55 who participated in the poll said they were opposed by a margin of 53 to 41 percent.
The poll also found that President Barack Obama’s recent endorsement of same-sex marriage would have little or no effect on how New Jersey voters cast their ballots for president in the November election.
“New Jersey voters approved of same-sex marriage before President Barack Obama evolved, and they still do,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
“New Jerseyans like Gov. Christopher Christie and are divided on whether his veto of the same-sex marriage bill was right or wrong. And they’re divided on whether the state legislature should override the veto,” Carroll added. “But voters overwhelmingly endorse Christie’s idea of putting it up to a referendum.”
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