A new poll out by the Freedom to Marry reveals that 51% of registered voters in states without marriage equality now favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally, with only 41% opposed.
Buzzfeed breaks down the poll's findings:
The survey, conducted Dec. 2–8, 2013, by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research for Freedom to Marry, broke down support into regions, with Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin respondents — the central region — favoring marriage equality by a 23-point margin (59% favor, 36% oppose). Respondents in the western region — Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming — favored marriage by a 19-point margin (53% favor, 34% oppose). In the South, which included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, respondents were split evenly (46% favor, 46% oppose).
Additionally, 56% of respondents believe that it is likely that same-sex marriage will become legal in their state in the next couple of years.
Said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry:
“That [poll] shows the momentum. We have majority support in the non-marriage states, in the states that still discriminate. And this is the first poll to show that. It's conveying to the court and to the next wave of decision makers that America is ready.”
