Raleigh, N.C. – In November 2009, Maine voters rejected the state’s then new law legalizing same-sex marriage, but more than a year removed from that vote, voters are now narrowly in favor of legalizing these unions once again. 47% want gay marriage to be the law, and 45% oppose it being legal. The quarter of voters who claim to be independents overwhelmingly support same-sex unions, 56-37, along with 71% of Democrats, but 21% of Democrats and 77% of Republicans prefer the status quo. As in most places across the country, only senior citizens, those over the age of 65, resist change. Pluralities to slim majorities of every other age group favor same-sex marriage.
“We’re seeing sentiment on gay marriage moving more and more toward equality as time passes and older generations are replaced with their more socially progressive younger counterparts,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
New Governor Paul LePage is considerably more popular than his predecessor, Democrat John Baldacci, who had a 2:1 disapproval-approval margin in PPP’s final poll before the 2010 election. But LePage is still underwater with Maine voters, not getting much of a honeymoon at all. 43% approve, but 48% disapprove of his job performance so far, putting him in almost as bad shape as polarizing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and ousted Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Independents are down on him, 38-50, and slightly more Democrats disapprove than Republicans approve.
Maine’s junior Senator Susan Collins is not quite as popular as her senior colleague, Olympia Snowe, but is still one of the country’s most popular senators with her constituents. Collins has a 56-34 approval-disapproval ratio, up a bit from a few months ago. Like Snowe, Collins is more popular with Democrats than even independents, and certainly better liked than by her own party. Republicans approve only 48-42, but Democrats and independents give Collins almost identical 61-30 and 60-30 margins.
Rep. Mike Michaud has a 54-28 favorability margin statewide, better than his colleague Chellie Pingree’s 45-39. Both are Democrats. Michaud does so well because he has a 30-49 with the opposite party. Pingree polarizes the two parties, and also does not quite match Michaud’s 57-24 with independents, getting only 47-33.
PPP surveyed 1,247 Maine voters from March 3rd to 6th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-2.8%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor
Paul LePage’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 43%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 48%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%
Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator
Susan Collins’ job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 56%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 34%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%
Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Chellie Pingree?
Favorable ………….. 45%
Unfavorable……….. 39%
Not sure ……………. 16%
Q4 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Mike Michaud?
Favorable ………….. 54%
Unfavorable……….. 28%
Not sure ……………. 18%
Q5 Do you favor or oppose allowing gay and
lesbian couples to marry legally?
Favor …………………………………………………….. 47%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 45%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 8%
Q6 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,
somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ……………………………………………… 11%
Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 20%
Moderate………………………………………………… 30%
Somewhat conservative……………………………. 22%
Very conservative ……………………………………. 17%
Q7 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 53%
Man……………………………………………………….. 47%
Q8 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 39%
Republican……………………………………………… 36%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 26%
Q9 If you are white, press 1. If other, press 2.
White …………………………………………………….. 95%
Other……………………………………………………… 5%
Q10 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 6%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 30%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 44%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%
