According to the Washington Blade, a new poll says that a majority of African-American voters in the state of Maryland would support same-sex marriage if presented with the option on a November referendum.
Fifty-five percent of the state’s black voters said they would vote for the law according to the Public Policy Polling Survey – a number considerably higher than a similar poll conducted in March. Since then, the support for same-sex marriage by African-American voters rose nearly 20 percent.
“Things are moving in Maryland,” said Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality according to the Washington Blade. “We’re approaching a supermajority who want to uphold the state’s new marriage law. The message of stronger families and basic fairness is resonating, and we’re confident Maryland will be the first state to win a ballot measure on marriage.”
The poll further identified 57 percent of all Maryland voters would support the same-sex marriage initiative should it make as a referendum on November’s ballot.
The news follows an announcement made this week by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons (NAACP) in support of gay marriage. Two weeks ago, President Obama publicly voiced his support for same-sex marriage, bumping the black vote for the issue by an 18-point increase according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll.
“The president’s backing of marriage equality has added to our momentum– and his being on the November ballot also helps us,” said Levin. “Younger voters, who are overwhelmingly supportive, are much more likely to turn out in a presidential year.”
