Gay marriage is not likely to become legal in New Jersey as long as Chris Christie is running things, but according to a recent poll, more New Jersey voters would support marriage equality than would not.
The PPP poll surveyed 480 voters in mid-July, who were asked “do you think same-sex marriage should be legal or illegal?” 47% answered “legal,” 42% said “illegal,” and 11% said they weren’t sure.
When phrased in a different way, the gap between supporters of same-sex marriage and opponents was smaller, though the majority still came out in favor of it. “Which of the following best describes your opinion on gay marriage,” the poll asked. “Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry, or gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry, or there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple’s relationship?”
In this case, 41% said “gay couples should be allowed to legally marry,” 40% said “gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not marry,” 17% said “there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple’s relationship,” and 2% said they weren’t sure.
Though a member of the NJ Assembly introduced a bill in June to legalize gay marriage, the last time a similar bill was introduced it failed in the state Senate — and that was when there was a Democratic Governor. Now, with gay marriage opponent Chris Christie (R) leading the state, there’s even less of a chance that New Jersey will follow in New York’s footsteps.
Also in June, the gay advocacy group Garden State Equality and seven same-sex couples filed a lawsuit arguing that same-sex marriages should be recognized by the state.
Jillian Rayfield
Jillian Rayfield is a Reporter/Blogger for TPM, and started as a News Intern in May 2009. She graduated from Cornell University in May 2008 with a degree in Film, and worked as a Research Assistant for a market research firm in London in between.