ME: Marriage (PPP 10/16-19)
Emily Swanson | October 20, 2009
Public Policy Polling (D)
10/16-19/09; 1,130 likely voters, 2.9% margin of error
Mode: Automated
(PPP release)
Maine
Question 1 for the upcoming Maine Referendum Election reads 'Do you want to
reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious
groups to refuse to perform these marriages?' Do you intend to vote yes or no on Question 1,
which would undo the law that lets same sex couples marry?
48% Yes, 48% No (trend)
By Emily Swanson | October 20, 2009 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)
Comments
So, if people vote no, this law will force Priests to marry gay couples?
No priest or any religious figure will be forced to marry anyone. That was the point of the bill.
This question reminds me of the Monty Python Joke Warfare skit that makes Nazis die of laughter. Its making my head explode.
"No priest or any religious figure will be forced to marry anyone. That was the point of the bill."
Right, so if the bill fails, then they will be forced to marry anyone?
The "no priest or any religious figure...." language was inserted into the bill that was passed in the Maine Legislature in order to provide an exemption for private persons from the mandate requiring the State to recognize gay marriages. Repealing the law repeals the State's obligation to recognize gay marriage, not a priest's right to refuse to perform such a ceremony. The clause is dependent on the bill being law and has no independent force.
Of course even if that clause wasn't there they could probably argue that the lack of such an exemption would deprive them of their First Amendment rights....
If you're familiar with the bill, which most Mainers are by now, the language isn't problematic.
The bill already passed. This measure would repeal the bill.
yes....hence the "...that was passed in the Maine Legislature..." and the "Repealing the law..."
Polling questions like this should have a clarifier after the wording: i.e.
"Yes indicates opposition to same-sex marriage, while no indicates support for same-sex marriage."
... because it took me a good 30 seconds of reading it to work out what it was saying: deciphering the question over the phone would be nigh on impossible.
@Field Marshal
No. If the no vote wins, then it stays as it is now, which means that gay people can marry, but priests etc. can refuse to marry them.
I know this has been discussed before and that its not really the pollsters fault, but egad is that an awful question wording.
Posted on October 20, 2009 11:18 AM