Republicans in Early Primary States Favor Marriage Equality
New poll shows that other issues are more important to GOP voters in early primary states
If a study of opposition to same-sex marriage in the early primary states is any indication, Republican voters are continuing to come around on equality.
A study released this week discovered that a majority of GOP voters in early primary states–even the Republican stronghold of South Carolina — find it unacceptable for their candidate to oppose same-sex marriage.
Only 43 percent of potential Republican voters in New Hampshire agreed that it’s acceptable for their candidate to oppose marriage equality. The same was true for 45% of South Carolina Republicans and half of Iowa Republicans.
The Marist poll of more than 1,000 adults in each state supports the gradual shift in support of same-sex marriage by Americans at large.
The study found other issues much more polarizing. At least 78 percent of the GOP electorate in each state supported repealing the federal health care law, and at least 69 percent supported sending more U.S. troops to Iraq and Syria to combat ISIS.
While GOP voters may be opening their eyes to marriage equality, the Republican Party Platform still maintains that it is proven that “both experience and endless social science studies that traditional marriage is best for children.”
A Pew Research poll from last year suggests that it may be young Republicans leading the charge for equality in the GOP. According to the poll, 61 percent of young Republicans support same-sex marriage.
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