A new poll reveals just how out of touch the Minnesota GOP is with voters.
Minnesota Republicans this month fast -tracked a measure that would place a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the ballot next year, a measure which was passed by the Senate earlier this week. Passage in the House is expected.
But Minnesotans don't want it, according to a new Star Tribune poll:
Fifty-five percent of respondents said they oppose adding such an amendment while 39 percent favor a constitutional ban — views that appear to be a sharp reversal of poll results seven years ago.
Opposition to the ban generally cuts across all ages, though support rises gradually with age. Sixty percent of Minnesotans aged 18 to 34 oppose the idea. A slim majority, 51 percent, of Minnesotans older than 65 oppose the constitutional ban. "We should have our own choices and abilities to chose what we want and not have someone categorize or label people because of their sexual orientation," said Adam Leistiko, a 22-year-old Democrat from Edina who opposes the marriage amendment. "I have a very open mind."
The poll is much different than one taken seven years ago:
A 2004 Minnesota Poll found that 58 percent of Minnesotans supported a constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to one man and one woman.
Governor Mark Dayton opposes it, but according to Minnesota law cannot veto constitutional amendment-related measures.
