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Pro-Choice Voters Divided Over Same-Sex Marriage | ||||||||||||||||
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Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters July 7, 2005
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July 13, 2005-- The emergence of same-sex marriage as a political issue is creating new challenges for the pro-choice movement. Pro-Choice voters are evenly divided on the topic of same-sex marriage--48% favor the traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman while 44% are opposed to that definition. Pro-life voters overwhelmingly support the traditional definition of marriage. Among all voters, 66% favor the traditional definition of marriage while 28% are opposed. Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters say they are pro-choice while 41% are pro-life. Combining these two hot-button social issues, 36% of voters are pro-life and favor the traditional definition of marriage. Twenty-five percent (25%)are pro-choice and favor the traditional definition of marriage. Twenty-three percent (23%) are pro-choice and oppose the traditional definition of marriage. Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters say that the abortion issue is very important when considering a Supreme Court nominee. Another 30% say it is somewhat important. [More Below] Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters say that abortion is morally wrong most of the time. Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree. Fifty-three percent (53%) believe it is too easy to get an abortion in America. Just 18% believe it is too hard, while 22% say "about right." Among pro-choice voters, 27% say too easy, 31% too hard, and 33% about right. Thirty-two percent (32%) say that overturning Roe vs. Wade would make abortion illegal. Forty-seven percent (47%) say it would be up to individual states to set their own laws. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of American voters say it would be best for the Supreme Court to establish rules governing abortion. Fort-seven percent (47%) would prefer rules established by the state legislatures. A related survey found that 58% of Likely Voters say that Senate Democrats should vote to confirm a qualified conservative nominee for the Supreme Court. Earlier survey data showed that 42% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court. Nearly as many, 41%, have an unfavorable opinion. Retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is viewed favorably by 55% of American voters. Just 17% believe she is politically conservative. During the battle over Judicial nominations earlier this year, just 22% of Americans had a favorable opinion of the filibuster compromise reached by fourteen Senators. Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information. Our publications provide real-time information on consumer confidence, investor confidence, employment data, the political situation, and other topics of value and interest. We provide daily updates on the economic confidence of Consumers and Investors. Our consumer data generally identifies trends two to six weeks ahead of traditional consumer confidence measures. To keep up with our latest releases, be sure to visit the Rasmussen Reports Home Page.
This survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 7, 2005. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. |
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