Poll: New Hampshirites oppose repeal of marriage equality

A WMUR Granite State poll released Thursday shows the majority of voters in New Hampshire oppose efforts of state Republicans to repeal the state’s marriage-equality law passed in 2009. In addition, voters said they would consider ousting any lawmaker that voted to repeal the law.

According to the poll, only 27 percent of voters supported repealing marriage rights for same-sex couples. Sixty-two percent opposed repealing the law.

The numbers are almost identical to a similar survey in February.

The poll also found that 44 percent say they would be less likely to vote for a lawmaker who voted to repeal same-sex marriage. Only 14 percent said they were less likely to support a candidate who voted against repealing same-sex marriage.

And only 8 percent of voters thought legalizing same-sex marriage had a major impact on them personally. The poll did not ask whether the voters thought it was a positive or negative impact.

Just 9 percent of Republicans and 11 percent of conservatives said they thought it had a major effect on the state.

Republicans are attempting to repeal the marriage law in New Hampshire and were able to move it through at least one committee this year. They will revisit the issue again in January. The GOP has veto-proof majorities in the state Legislature.

“Strong opponents of repealing same-sex marriage continue outnumber strong proponents by more than 2 to 1,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the UNH Survey Center which conducted the poll. “The New Hampshire public is not showing any strong desire to repeal this law.”