Proponents of marriage equality have gone a dismal 0-32 at the polls since ballot referendums starting popping up in the early ’90s. In 2012, four states will vote on ballot measures dealing with marriage equality. Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington will on a state-by-state basis expand or further restrict the ability of same-sex couples to legally marry in their states. Equality supporters hope this will finally be the year that their 32 state losing streak is broken and polling suggests that could happen.
Maine’s referendum to legalize gay marriage is leading by a 52 to 45 margin.
Washington State appears likely to approve gay marriage on Tuesday. 52% of voters say they plan to vote to approve Senate Bill 6239, while 42% are inclined to reject it.
A poll conducted by the Washington Post in mid-October found the referendum leading 52 percent to 43 percent in Maryland. A yes vote would support keeping the same-sex marriage law in place allowing it to go into effect January 1 of 2013.
In Minnesota 45% of voters say they’ll vote for the ballot referendum that would ban gay marriage, compared to 52% who oppose it.
While these numbers look promising, polling experts show that opposition to marriage equality is often underestimated by seven percentage points. If those numbers hold true, we’re in for close races in all four states tonight.
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