Constitutional Marriage Ban Polling Fact Sheet
Americans do not support a constitutional amendment defining marriage in the United States.
- 56% of Americans either oppose a constitutional amendment or support gay marriage. Only 33% support a constitutional amendment. Newsweek poll, February 19-20, 2004, margin of error ± 3 percent
- 48% of Americans oppose an amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Only 41% support such an amendment. Annenberg poll, February 18-22, 2004, margin of error ± 3 percent
- 58% of Americans support letting the states decide how to deal with marriage. Only 38% said they supported amending the U.S. Constitution. ABC News/Washington Post poll, January 15-18, 2004, margin of error ± 3 percent
- Moderates and independents are in strong opposition to amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage.
- 52% of independents oppose amending the Constitution to define marriage. Only 37% of independents support an amendment.
- 52% of moderates oppose an amendment. Only 37% of moderates support an amendment.
Annenberg poll, February 14-23, 2004, margin of error ± 2 percent
The American public responds as follows when asked to name the most important problem facing the country today.
Most Important Problem
Economy in general-16%
Iraq War/War in general-16%
Unemployment/Jobs-13%
Terrorism-10%
Healthcare-8%
Dissatisfaction with government-7%
Education-7%
Gallup poll, January 12-15, 2004, margin of error ± 3 percent
The issue of amending the U.S. Constitution to define marriage didn’t even register as an important issue facing the nation in the eyes of the American public.