Same-Sex Marriage in Maryland: The Saliency of Religiosity in Determining Voter Support

Abstract

During the Maryland 2012 General election, 52% of voters statewide approved Question 6 legalizing same-sex marriage.  In an overwhelmingly Democratic state, early polling demonstrated a difference in support between White and Black Democrats with 70% of White Democrats favoring the measure and over half of Black Democrats disapproving.  Nevertheless, the final vote tally in majority Black Prince Georges County showed an even split among voters.  A review of survey data from the Washington Post will demonstrate the saliency of religiosity, not race, as the primary factor determining voter support for same sex marriage.
 
KEYWORDS:  Religiosity, Partisanship, Civil Rights, LGBTQ, Same-Sex, Pacifism