Poll: 67% want to vote on marriage amendment

A poll commissioned by a conservative blog found more than two-thirds of Iowa voters want to vote on whether same-sex marriages should be legal in Iowa.

The poll by Voter Consumer Research of Washington, DC, found 67 percent of Iowa voters, including 87 percent of Republican voters, want an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage. Just 27 percent thought the decision should be left to the courts to decide.

The poll of 500 voters conducted earlier this month for TheIowaRepublican.com also found Iowans listed the economy, health care, jobs and employment and education ahead of moral values when asked which issues are most important.

Those issues, not pushing for a referendum on taking away some Iowans' rights, should be the focus of attention, according to One Iowa, the state's largest gay and lesbian advocacy group.

"At a time when Iowans are losing their homes and rebuilding after last year's devastating floods, we should focus on issues of common concern to all Iowa families such as the economy, health care and education, rather than focusing on divisive issues and amending the constitution to hurt a number of Iowans," One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison said Monday.

For Republicans, the take-away from the poll is that the party and its candidates shouldn't be afraid of the issue of same-sex marriage in the 2010 elections, according to Craig Robinson, editor of TheIowaRepublican.com. There has been speculation the issue could be dangerous for Republicans because it would make the party appear too exclusive.

"The issue isn't necessarily about gay marriage, but rather it's about the people being allowed their constitutional right to vote," Robinson said. "Iowans clearly want to voice their opinion on this matter at the ballot box."

Same-sex marriage has become a live round since a district court judge ruled an Iowa law recognizing only marriages between one man and one woman was unconstitutional. When the Iowa Supreme Court agreed in April, legislators - mostly Republicans - sought to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to recognize only man-woman marriages. Democrats, who control both chamber of the Legislature, blocked those attempts and have promised not to bring the issue to the floor. Gov. Chet Culver also has rejected calls for a constitutional amendment.

"The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that everyone deserves equal protection under the law. We agree," Jenison said. "(Iowans) have never voted on taking away protections from a group of people. As Iowans, we believe in treating each other with fairness and respect."

To see the poll results, visit: www.TheIowaRepublican.com.