The Associated Press conducted an online AP-GfK Poll between the days of July 9th, 2015 and July 13th, 2015 to gauge the public's feelings about same-sex marriage now that the United States Supreme Court has legalized it across the nation. The results of the 1,004 person poll – including only adults – are a bit of a surprise to analysts, as they seem to suggest a dramatic swing in the population's opinion. According to the survey, when the data is extrapolated to the entire country, only 42% of Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage legalization and 40% are not, give or take about 3.4% for a margin of error. When polled specifically about the Supreme Court's ruling, 39% were in favor and 42% were not.
(The Associated Press's own article about their poll and its results can be seen here.)
Why the Big Change?
Weeks and months before the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage legalization, many polls suggested that about three of every five Americans were in favor of same-sex marriages or at least did not staunchly oppose it. Other polls, including more created by the Associated Press, were more conservative but still put the majority of people in favor. To see such a switch after the ruling has taken place is intriguing, to say the least.
The cause of the change could be due to the "on-the-fence" feelings so many supporters had. Before the ruling, they saw no reason not to legalize same-sex marriages. But once the decision was announced and people started to raise their voice about states' rights and religious freedoms being potentially violated, they realized that they might have been too quick to judge and withdrew their support. This could explain why favor for the ruling sharply dropped but was not matched by a steep increase of opposition; rather, people were falling into the unsure category.
It is also possible that the poll results are not representative of the overall population. As this is always a possibility for surveys, it is an option that must be considered here.
Will the Results Affect the Ruling?
Even if recent surveys suggested that the vast majority of Americans were against same-sex marriage legalization, it would be unlikely that any immediate change in policy would take place. For now, the polls can only be used as a point of argument for those against the decision.
If you live in South Carolina and need help from a family law attorney that understands the new legislation regarding same-sex marriages and divorces, contact the Masella Law Firm, P.A. today. Our team has nearly 30 years of collective experience and a proven track record of success. Call 803.938.4952 to discuss your case now.