Equality Delaware released the results of a poll of Delawareans yesterday which showed large support for civil unions in Delaware. Equality Delaware is the group that has sponsored the civil unions bill in Delaware (which will be introduced in the Senate next week).
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.
There were some interesting findings in the poll. Every county supports marriage equality, all age groups support and all political leanings except Republican men support civil unions.
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.
If there are still legislators on the fence about this bill, perhaps this poll will help them decide. The debate on this bill will be interesting to watch.