Marriage Equality Has 21-Point Lead in Maine

Gay marriage is one step closer in Maine.

A poll revealed that that support for a referendum that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state has a 21-point lead, the Waterville (Maine) Morning Sentinel reports.

About 618 likely voters were randomly selected and interviewed by the poll, which was created by Maine Today Media and conducted by Critical Insights, between Sept. 12 and 16. Fifty-seven percent of voters said they support marriage equality, while 36 percent said they do not support Maine recognizing same-sex marriages. Seven percent said they were unsure.

Maine voters will soon decide whether or not to pass Question 1, the state's referendum, which could legalize gay marriage.

Broken down into demographic groups, the poll showed 81 percent of Democrats supporting marriage equality while 64 percent of Republicans do not. It also showed that 69 percent of college graduates support the passage of Question 1 and 56 percent of voters who hold a high school diploma or less oppose the measure.

Support has increased 13 points over the last month. According to the Public Policy Polling survey that was released in September, gay marriage supporters only had an 8-point lead as 52 percent of voters said they would be voting for the referendum and 44 percent opposed Question 1. PPP's Tom Jensen said the outcome of the measure was "a toss up."

Eric Moynihan, an independent voter from Yarmouth, said that believes the voting will result in marriage equality for the citizens of Maine. "I'm pretty confident that gay people can have strong marriages and are strong citizens," Moynihan, 58, said.

Portland musician Michael Wingfield, 57, who will also vote yes on Question 1 and told pollsters, "Gay or straight, we all have a right to marriage."

The large lead the poll suggests may come as a surprise to some, especially the National Organization for Marriage. The group bent on banning same-sex marriage nationwide donated $250,000 to the Protect Marriage Maine political action committee, the Associated Press reported on Sept. 21. PMM is spearheading the campaign against Question 1 in hopes of keeping marriage defined as a union between one man and woman.