June 23, 2009 - New York State Voters Support Same-Sex Marriage Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Mayor Should Keep School Control, But Share It Word format New York State voters support 51 - 41 percent, with 8 percent undecided, a law allowing same-sex couples to marry, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This is the first poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University showing support for same-sex marriage in New York State, where voters split 46 - 46 percent on this issue in a May 14 survey and opposed same-sex marriage 55 - 37 percent in an April 15, 2004, poll. In this latest survey, women support same-sex marriage 58 - 35 percent, while men oppose it by a narrow 48 - 44 percent margin. Same-sex marriage wins 65 - 28 percent from Democrats and 52 - 42 percent from independent voters, while Republicans oppose it 66 - 27 percent. The proposal wins 52 - 42 percent support from white voters and 55 - 39 percent from Hispanics. Black voters split with 43 percent in favor and 42 percent opposed. Voters who attend religious services at least once a week are opposed 63 - 31 percent, while those who attend less frequently support same-sex marriages 61 - 31 percent. Support also rises with income and education level. New York State voters support same-sex civil unions 68 - 25 percent, with support from all groups, including 55 - 37 percent among Republicans. Overall support was 65 - 27 percent May 14. "It's the slimmest of majorities, but for the first time in a Quinnipiac University poll of New York State, same-sex marriage is ahead," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Supporters have worked hard in the last six weeks, moving the needle from dead even to slightly ahead. Who knows how far they can move that needle in the next six weeks if the State Legislature doesn't act. "It is interesting to note that support for same-sex civil unions, which gay marriage advocates say is an unacceptable alternative, has barely moved," Carroll added. Given three choices: 46 percent of New York State voters say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry; 27 percent say they should be allowed to form civil unions; 20 percent say there should be no legal recognition. Mayoral Control of New York City Schools New York State voters say 51 - 33 percent that the State Legislature should renew the law that gives the New York City Mayor control of the public schools. Support is 61 - 32 percent among New York City voters and 63 - 23 percent in the suburbs, while upstate voters split with 37 percent in favor of mayoral control and 38 percent opposed. But when voters are asked if the Mayor should share control of the schools with the New York City Council, they agree 50 - 37 percent. Voters do not agree 43 - 40 percent, that the Mayor should share school control with the borough presidents, a public office about which few people outside of New York City are aware. "Voters overall think Mayor Michael Bloomberg, or his successor, should retain control of New York City schools. Support is higher among suburban voters, who have experience with school boards, than it is among New York City voters, who have experience with Bloomberg," Carroll said. "Just as in last week's Quinnipiac University poll of New York City voters, voters would like to have the Mayor share control with the City Council. Since nobody north of The Bronx knows what a borough president is, they didn't fare so well. "And of course none of this means anything unless the State Senate puts its house in order and gets back to work." From June 16 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,477 New York State registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201. 31. As you may know, in New York City the mayor has control of the public schools. Mayoral control of the New York City public schools expires this year, unless the state legislature renews it. Do you think mayoral control of the New York City public schools should continue or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Continue 51% 50% 51% 53% 55% 46% 50% 52% 45% Stop 33 32 34 30 32 33 31 39 43 DK/NA 17 18 15 16 13 20 19 9 12 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Continue 36% 37% 37% 61% 63% Stop 30 39 38 32 23 DK/NA 34 24 25 8 15 32. Do you think the New York City mayor should share control of the public schools with the city council or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 50% 44% 55% 47% 48% 51% 47% 64% 53% No 37 42 31 40 42 32 38 26 39 DK/NA 14 14 14 13 10 17 15 10 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 45% 48% 48% 53% 47% No 28 33 33 39 40 DK/NA 27 18 19 7 13 33. Do you think the New York City mayor should share control of the public schools with the borough presidents or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 40% 35% 46% 35% 37% 42% 36% 59% 49% No 43 46 37 48 50 36 45 31 37 DK/NA 18 19 17 17 14 22 20 10 14 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 30% 35% 34% 46% 40% No 36 39 38 46 46 DK/NA 35 26 27 8 14 34. Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Support 51% 27% 65% 52% 44% 58% 52% 43% 55% Oppose 41 66 28 42 48 35 42 42 39 DK/NA 8 7 8 6 8 7 6 16 5 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 56% 48% 49% 52% 54% Oppose 37 46 45 37 39 DK/NA 7 5 6 10 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl Coll 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Support 67% 55% 40% 44% 56% 64% 45% 63% Oppose 27 39 52 47 40 30 47 31 DK/NA 6 6 8 9 4 7 8 6 ATTEND SERVS WHITE...... Weekly Less Prot Cath Jew Support 31% 61% 43% 44% 65% Oppose 63 31 51 50 29 DK/NA 7 8 6 6 6 TREND: Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married? Jun 23 May 14 Apr 15 2009 2009 2004 Support 51 46 37 Oppose 41 46 55 DK/NA 8 8 8 35. Would you support or oppose a law that would allow civil unions for same-sex couples? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Support 68% 55% 72% 73% 63% 72% 70% 57% 71% Oppose 25 37 21 22 29 21 24 29 24 DK/NA 7 9 7 5 8 6 6 14 5 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 67% 66% 66% 65% 75% Oppose 21 27 26 27 20 DK/NA 11 7 7 8 6 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl Coll 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Support 79% 71% 59% 58% 76% 79% 62% 79% Oppose 18 22 33 33 20 16 30 16 DK/NA 3 7 8 9 4 5 8 5 ATTEND SERVS WHITE...... Weekly Less Prot Cath Jew Support 54% 75% 62% 68% 72% Oppose 39 18 32 26 23 DK/NA 7 7 6 6 6 TREND: Would you support or oppose a law that would allow civil unions for same-sex couples? Jun 23 May 14 2009 2009 Support 68 65 Oppose 25 27 DK/NA 7 8 36. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Marry 46% 22% 59% 46% 39% 51% 46% 42% 46% Civil unions 27 37 18 32 30 25 29 25 22 No recognition 20 32 16 17 25 16 19 25 24 DK/NA 7 8 6 5 6 8 6 8 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Marry 47% 43% 44% 46% 48% Civil unions 29 29 29 25 28 No recognition 18 22 21 21 17 DK/NA 6 6 6 8 6 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl Coll 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Marry 62% 50% 33% 41% 50% 54% 40% 55% Civil unions 21 27 31 25 30 28 28 27 No recognition 12 18 28 27 16 12 24 12 DK/NA 5 5 8 7 4 6 8 5 ATTEND SERVS WHITE...... Weekly Less Prot Cath Jew Marry 26% 55% 36% 38% 58% Civil unions 33 25 32 36 17 No recognition 33 14 26 21 17 DK/NA 8 6 7 5 9 TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships? Jun 23 May 14 Apr 07 Jun 12 Dec 12 Jun 19 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 2007 Marry 46 40 41 42 40 35 Civil unions 27 29 33 31 29 35 No recognition 20 23 19 21 23 22 DK/NA 7 7 7 6 8 8
