SEATTLE — A new statewide poll by the University of Washington Center for Survey Research found most Washington state voters would support marriage equality for same-sex couples if approved by the state legislature, reported The Seattle Times.
Of voters surveyed, 55 percent indicated they would uphold a Legislature-approved same-sex marriage law if it were challenged by referendum. The poll found 38 percent would oppose the law and 7 percent were undecided.
However, additional questions in the poll found that 44 percent of voters surveyed said gays and lesbians should have the same legal right as straight couples to marry; and 22 percent said they should have the same legal rights as married couples, but it should not be called marriage.
Seventeen percent said there should be no legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples.
State Senator Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) both have indicated they’re considering a push for a same sex marriage measure in the next regular session in January 2012.
Both have worked on LGBTQ equality issues for a number of years and have been building political support incrementally for same sex marriage in Washington State.