Statewide Poll Shows Broad Support Among Likely Voters in Delaware for a Civil Union Law

News Release
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Statewide Poll Shows Broad Support Among Likely Voters in
Delaware for a Civil Union Law
Measure Has Support of Most Voters Regardless of
Geography, Political Affiliation, Gender or Age

Equality Delaware, a non-profit, citizen-supported statewide organization that is advocating for a civil union law in Delaware, today released the results of a statewide public opinion poll which indicates there are twice as many likely voters in Delaware who support same-sex civil unions as there are voters who oppose civil unions. Most important, the poll shows that there is support for a civil union law among geographic, political, gender and age groups around the State.

The poll, which was conducted February 28 through March 6, 2011 by Lake Research Partners, shows that more than six out of 10 voters (62%) in Delaware favor allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions which is twice the number who oppose such a law (31%). The remaining 7% of voters are undecided. Nearly 700 likely voters in Delaware participated in the poll, which has a +/- 3.8% margin of error.

Lisa Goodman, President of Equality Delaware, said the poll results are very encouraging for the thousands of individuals, children and families who deserve to achieve equality. "The poll findings are consistent with what we have been hearing for months from citizens up and down the state,” said Goodman. “Delawareans clearly support civil unions as a way to provide equal protections for same-sex families.”
The statewide Delaware poll on civil unions produced other important results, which include:

The overall intensity of support for civil unions, which is much stronger than those opposed with 45% of the Delaware electorate strongly favoring same-sex civil unions compared to just 21% who strongly oppose civil unions.

Voters in every corner in the state supporting same-sex civil unions. New Castle County voters are in favor of civil unions by a margin of 70% to 21%. In Kent County, civil unions are favored 49% to 43%, and in Sussex County 51% favor civil unions and while 47% are in opposition.

Democrats (73%) and independents (63%) staunchly supporting civil unions, with Republicans divided—45% in support and 51% not in support. Republican women, however, are narrowly in favor of civil unions by a margin of 50% to 48%.

Support for civil unions among a majority of men (58%) and women (66%).

Solid majorities in every age group standing in support of civil unions, including 55% of seniors, 64% of voters between the ages of 50-64, and 64% of voters under the age of 50. Support for civil unions is even higher among the youngest voters.

Legislation establishing civil union in Delaware will be introduced before the Delaware General Assembly on Tuesday, March 22. Equality Delaware urges citizens to ask your legislator to support equality for all people by supporting passage of a civil union law.