Here's the next installment of the Rocky Mountain News' analysis of their recent voter poll. From the article, "More than half of Colorado voters support giving legal rights to gay couples, but an almost equal number don't want them to get married, according to a new Rocky Mountain News/CBS 4 poll. Fifty-eight percent of registered voters said in a recent survey that they support Referendum I, a measure that would allow gay couples to register as domestic partners and obtain many of the legal rights and responsibilities given to married couples, such as making medical decisions for a partner.At the same time, 52 percent of voters said they support Amendment 43, a measure that would effectively ban gay marriage by putting a one man-one woman definition of marriage in the state constitution. While voters who support Referendum I typically oppose Amendment 43, and vice versa, nearly one in five voters said they approve of both measures...
"The current gay rights battle began in February, when a coalition of 10 Christian groups called Coloradans for Marriage launched a campaign for what is now known as Amendment 43. The measure is backed by the Colorado Springs- based evangelical group Focus on the Family, the National Association of Evangelicals and the Colorado Catholic Conference. Similar ballot measures, known as defense of marriage acts, have been approved in recent years by voters in nearly 20 states. Some use the simple "one man-one woman" language, while others also ban civil unions. The Colorado gay rights community fired back with an unusual tactic: They persuaded state lawmakers to sponsor a domestic partnership bill, which was passed by both houses and referred to the November ballot as Referendum I. National organizations on both sides of the issue are closely watching the Colorado campaigns because the state appears to be the only one with competing measures on the same ballot...
"The voter poll shows that, in general, there are major demographic differences between supporters of Referendum I and those who favor Amendment 43. Young people heavily support Referendum I (70 percent of those under age 35), whereas older voters strongly favor Amendment 43 (64 percent of those age 65 and older). Republicans tend to favor Amendment 43 (76 percent) while Democrats and independents support Referendum I (67 percent of independents and 76 percent of Democrats). Education levels matter, too. More than two out of three voters with a post-graduate degree support Ref I, whereas almost equal numbers of voters with a high school degree or less show the strongest support for Amendment 43. Where repondents live also makes a difference. Denver voters show the strongest support for Referendum I (75 percent) and the strongest opposition to Amendment 43 (63 percent). It is the opposite in Colorado Springs. Those voters show the strongest support for Amendment 43 (66 percent yes and 28 percent no) and the most disapproval of Referendum I (39 percent yes and 59 percent no). The poll also showed that voters who know a gay or lesbian person are much more likely to support Ref I."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
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