Poll: Most In Calif. Oppose Ban On Gay Marriage

Fifty-one percent of likely voters said they would vote against the proposed amendment while 48-percent would support it.

The results show that the proposal is in trouble, Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo told the San Diego Times-Union newspaper.

DiCamillo said that usually ballot measures start out ahead, but as opponents begin raising doubts in the minds of the public lose support.

"Starting out behind is usually an ominous sign for a proposition," DiCamillo told The Times-Union. "Over 90 percent of propositions that start out behind get taken down."

The poll found that Republicans support amending the California constitution 68-percent to 27-percent while Democrats oppose it by about the same amount. Independent voters oppose the proposed amendment 66 percent to 27 percent.

The poll results are almost identical to a survey taken before the ballot measure was certified.

Supporters of the amendment say Field Polls overestimate support for gay unions.

In May the California Supreme Court struck down the state ban on same-sex marriage. (story) Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples began lining up for marriage licenses the following month when the ruling took effect.