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 Poll:
Iowa Supports Civil Unions But No Gay Marriage
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 3, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET
(Des Moines, Iowa) The majority of Iowa voters
support restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples but at the same time are
divided on a constitutional amendment to put that in place, and most believe
same-sex couples should have the right to have civil unions a new poll shows.
The survey, by the Des Moines Register, found
that 62 percent of prospective voters believe marriage should be available only
to opposite-sex pairs. But when asked if the state constitution should be
amended to block same sex marriage 48 percent said yes while 47 percent said
no. Five percent had no opinion.
On the issue of civil unions more than than half
of those who responded said they would support the idea. About 40 percent
were opposed.
The poll was taken between February 17 and 20 of
801 adults. The survey has a margin of
error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points the paper reported.
The survey was released as the Iowa Supreme Court
prepares to take up the issue of same-sex marriage, and as pressure mounts on
lawmakers to begin the process to amend the constitution.
Last year Polk County Judge Robert Hanson struck
down a state law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.
Hanson ruled that a state law allowing marriage
only between a man and woman violated the constitutional rights of due process
and equal protection. (story)
Less than two hours after the the ruling two Des
Moines men applied for a marriage license, found a judge to waive the waiting
period and were married.
Hanson then stayed his ruling until the state
could appeal it to the Iowa Supreme Court. The marriage of Sean Fritz and Tim
McQuillan remains the only legal same-sex marriage in the state.
The appeal of Hanson's same-sex marriage ruling
is likely to be heard later this year by the state Supreme Court.
Democratic lawmakers are not anxious to take up a
proposed amendment to the state constitution that would block gay marriage no
matter how the high court rules.
Republicans, Salier's group, conservative
churches and other groups are pressing for the amendment. In January several
hundred people marched outside the Capitol demanding lawmakers move forward on
the measure. (story)
House Speaker Pat Murphy (D) said he is in no
rush to deal with it.
To amend the Iowa Constitution simple majorities
are needed in both the House and Senate in two consecutive general assemblies
and then it must be approved by a simple majority of voters in the following
general election.
If a resolution were approved this year and in
the 2009 or 2010 session, it could be placed before voters in November 2010.
©365Gay.com 2008
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