Majority of Iowans oppose ban on same-sex marriage, poll shows

A recent poll suggests a majority of Iowans oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Iowa.

The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll says 56 percent of those polled earlier this month were against the proposed amendment. The poll says 38 percent favored the idea, while 6 percent weren't sure.

A year ago, 40 percent of those surveyed supported an amendment, while 54 percent were opposed.

The poll of 800 Iowans, conducted from Feb. 12 to 15, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled same-sex marriage legal in April 2009. In November 2010, voters ousted three of the justices who were on the ballot for retention.

The proposed constitutional amendment has been blocked in the Iowa Senate.