FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2013
Contact: Christopher Plante (401-228-7602)
Statewide Survey Shows 78% Want Voters to Decide Issue of Marriage
Providence, RI — A new statewide survey of Rhode Island voters shows that 78 percent of voters believe that they should have the right to vote on the definition of marriage, just as voters in 35 other states have been able to do. The survey also found that nearly three-quarters of voters in Rhode Island believe that marriage should be decided by voters, and not the General Assembly. The survey of 401 randomly-selected Rhode Island voters was conducted by QEV Analytics from January 31 through February 2 nd and has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent. The National Organization for Marriage Rhode Island chapter sponsored the survey.
"The issue before the Rhode Island General Assembly is who gets to decide the definition of marriage in our state," said Christopher Plante, executive director of NOM Rhode Island. "Nearly three-quarters of voters, 74%, believe that the definition of marriage should be decided by voters while only 20% think the issue should be decided by the General Assembly. When informed that voters in 35 other states have been able to vote on the definition of marriage, 78% of voters say that Rhode Island deserves that same opportunity. The Rhode Island General Assembly should put a referendum on the ballot giving voters the ability to decide this issue."
The survey also found that only 25% of voters think that Governor Lincoln Chafee has done an excellent or good job as governor, while 66% of voters think he has done only a fair or poor job. Further, regardless of their position on same-sex marriage a strong majority of voters (55%) say that the General Assembly should address Rhode Island’s economic crisis before considering the marriage issue.
"These survey results are very consistent with prior surveys in Rhode Island going back to 2009 and reinforce the clear fact that voters in our state want the right to vote on marriage," said Plante. "The General Assembly should focus on economic issues and give the people the right to vote on marriage; just as voters in 35 other states have been able to do. The General Assembly has afforded voters the right to vote on issues such as casinos, ports and even the name of our state. How much more important and foundational to society is the definition of marriage."
The complete survey results can be found here.
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To schedule an interview with Christopher Plante, Regional Director of the National Organization for Marriage, contact him at 401-228-7602 or [email protected]
Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).
