Wisconsin Survey

Spring 2006

Gay Marriage and Civil Unions

 

Survey Information:

 

Number of Adult Wisconsin Resident Respondents:  400

Interview Period: March 29 – April 7, 2006

Margin of Error: +/- 5% at the 95% confidence level.

 

Contact:

Wendy Scattergood

Assistant Professor of Political Science, St. Norbert College Survey Center

DePere, WI 54115

(920) 403-3491

wendy.scattergood@snc.edu

 

 

 

 

Definition of Marriage & Civil Unions

 

š    61% favor an amendment to the Wisconsin State Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman

š     59% favor civil unions generally

š     48% favor, while 47% oppose civil unions for same sex couples

š     There was very little change in results between the current survey and the survey from the spring of 2004

 

The language of the definition of marriage used in this survey was based on the 2005 Senate Joint Resolution 53 which was adopted on second consideration by the Wisconsin State Legislature and will be on ballots in November of 2006.

 

The bill also includes language that says “a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valued or recognized in this state.”

 

The Wisconsin State Legislature is considering passing an amendment to the state Constitution which states that “only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.” Do you favor or oppose this amendment?

 

 

Spring 2004

Spring 2006

Favor

66%

61%

Oppose

27%

34%

Not Sure

6%

6%

Refused

1%

<1%

 

                       

 

 

Civil Unions grant certain basic legal rights to unmarried couples such as hospital visitation, inheritance, insurance coverage etc. Do you favor or oppose these types of civil unions?

 

Spring 2006

Favor

59%

Oppose

30%

Not Sure

10%

Refused

1%

 

 

 

 

Do you favor or oppose civil unions for same-sex couples?

 

 

Spring 2004

Spring 2006

Favor

51%

48%

Oppose

42%

47%

Not Sure

6%

5%

Refused

1%

1%

 

 

Demographic Relationships with Favorable Ratings of the Marriage Amendment (MA), Civil Unions generally (CU), and Civil Unions for Same Sex Couples (CU-SS)

 

 

MA

CU

CU-SS

Registered Voters

 

 

 

Democrats

47%

70%

56%

Republicans

79%

48%

36%

Independents

55%

61%

52%

Other Party

59%

59%

59%

Age

 

 

 

18-24

33%

57%

57%

25-34

62%

60%

54%

35-44

56%

68%

57%

45-54

55%

66%

59%

55-64

63%

66%

44%

65+

73%

43%

32%

Education

 

 

 

< High School

90%

50%

20%

High School

74%

46%

33%

Some College/ Technical Degree

63%

62%

48%

College Degree

53%

60%

53%

Graduate Degree

40%

78%

72%

Income

 

 

 

<$15,000/year

71%

58%

42%

$15,000-$25,000

68%

54%

43%

$26,000-$35,000

56%

59%

50%

$36,000-$50,000

68%

51%

39%

$51,000-$75,000

57%

63%

59%

$76,000-$100,000

48%

67%

52%

>$100,000

44%

88%

71%

Gender

 

 

 

Male

64%

63%

46%

Female

58%

56%

50%

Note: tables should be read across, but will not sum to 100%. These reflect the 3 questions above and the percent within group who “favor” them only. For example, 73% of those over 65 favor the amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.