Little change so far in Virginians’ support for amendment to restrict marriage rights according to TD poll

There is much work to do yet on the proposed Virginia marriage amendment to make same sex marriage prohibition part of the Virginia constitution as well as restrict the rights of unmarried couples regardless of sexual orientation. According to the poll published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, support for the constitutional amendment is 54% while opposition is 40%. This is a slight shift from 56% support and 38% opposition in a July survey but given the margin of error this as likely means no movement at all.

However, as pointed out by the Commonwealth Coalition, the question in the survey did not include the language of the entire amendment. Based upon earlier polling work done by the Coalition, if all the language of the amendment is included in the question they support shrinks substantially.

According to the Times-Dispatch and its survey:

Seventy percent of "no" voters identify themselves as Democrats. In the
Washington suburbs -- more liberal and Democratic than the state as a whole --
51 percent oppose the amendment.

Republican incumbent George Allen favors the amendment and is
generally backed by voters likely to support it: cultural, religious and social
conservatives.

Jim Webb, the Democrat, opposes the measure a stance that could
help him among Democrats leery of his GOP past and Northern Virginians who
resist the state's conservative tendencies.

Virginia is among six states in which voters are considering
constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.

Twenty states have already adopted constitutional provisions
restricting the definition of marriage to a union of a man and a
woman.

Virginia would weave into its constitution a ban that has existed
in law for about a decade.

Between 56 percent and 64 percent favor the amendment in
Shenandoah/Piedmont, Richmond Metro, Hampton Roads, Lynchburg/Southside and Roanoke/Southwest.

Men support the amendment, 58 percent to 38 percent. Women favor it
by a narrower margin, 50 percent to 42 percent. Among whites, supporters lead
opponents, 53 percent to 42 percent. Black voters prefer the measure 57 percent
to 32 percent.

Make no mistake about it – this amendment is a bad idea and deserves defeat. The Commonwealth Coalition is leading the charge in trying to defeat this amendment which will appear on the November ballot. Go to the Commonwealth Coalition website and find out how you can volunteer and/or make a financial contribution.