Feb 9, 2010 by Jenny
Really? Iowans care less than D.C. residents about marriage?
Something’s amok when polls find that more D.C. residents than Iowans want to vote on marriage.
The Des Moines Register headline is that “Iowans rate drivers’ texting as more urgent than gay marriage,” but this could represent Iowans’ opinion of the Legislature rather than the importance of marriage. Previous polling would suggest that it’s likely that Iowans–familiar with the opinions of the legislative majority–would prefer to vote on marriage themselves.
Another poll released in July 2009 found that a majority of Iowans would prefer to vote placing a constitutional marriage amendment on the ballot compared to those who are fine with the Supreme Court decision.
Even in the liberal District of Columbia, a Washington Post poll this week reported that in spite of broad support for same-sex marriage, 6 in 10 people polled also said that they would prefer to vote on marriage rather than have politicians decide it for them.
The only Iowa citizen quoted in the Des Moines Register article wanted lawmakers to address driving and texting, but also wanted a vote on gay marriage. Judy Guderian is described as a “moderate independent.”
She also said lawmakers should make time to open the door for a statewide vote on gay marriage. “Let’s just get it settled,” she said. “I’m tired of hearing about it.”
