New polling results from Public Policy Polling today show the proposed marriage amendment in a virtual tie among Minnesota voters, while the proposed voting amendment has strong support.
PPP's poll of 824 likely Minnesota voters on Sept. 10 and 11 shows:
...the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota finds it virtually tied, with 48% of voters supporting the ban to 47% who oppose it. In January we found 48/44 support for the ban, while in June we found 49/43 opposition. It looks like a toss up.
Women (52/41), Democrats (78/16), and voters under 45 (50/45) all oppose the ban. Men (55/41), Republicans (80/17), independents (51/42), and seniors (53/40) all support it in greater numbers though.
“It looks like Minnesota’s marriage amendment will go down to the wire,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “Voters in the state are very closely divided in their attitudes about it.”
Minnesota's voter ID amendment looks to be headed for more comfortable passage, although the numbers have tightened up a little bit since our June poll. It leads by 17 points, 56-39, compared to a 24 point lead at 58-34 the last time we polled it. That movement is because Democrats have hardened in their opposition to it, going from being against it just 54/36 to now 72/20. But it retains overwhelming support from Republicans (88/9) and independents (62/33).
The pollsters also asked about state legislative elections:
If there was an election for the legislature today, do you think you would vote for the DFL or Republican candidate from your district?
DFL candidate 47%
Republican candidate 44%
Not sure 9%
Gov. Mark Dayton (who's not up for re-election until 2014)
Generally speaking, if there was an election for Governor today, would you vote for Democrat Mark Dayton or his Republican opponent?
Mark Dayton 51%
Republican opponent 38%
Not sure 10%
Al Franken:
Generally speaking, if there was an election for the Senate today, would you vote for Democrat Al Franken or his Republican opponent?
Al Franken 48%
Republican opponent 42%
Not sure 10%
Michele Bachmann:
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Michele Bachmann?
Favorable 29%
Unfavorable 59%
Not sure 12%
And it asked Twins fans about Manager Ron Gardenhire:
Would you support or oppose firing Ron Gardenhire?
Support 9%
Oppose 57%
Not sure 34%