Politics & Government

Fairgoers Show Little Support for Gay Marriage Ban

A record 12,549 fair-goers participated in the poll this year, which yielded surprising results: No to banning gay marriage, yes to making cell phone use behind the wheel illegal and a green-light for publicly funded pre-K.

Of a record 12,549 participants in this year's House of Representatives State Fair Poll, nearly 70 percent said the state constitution should not be amended to define marriage as only a union of one man and one woman.

That was just one of the interesting results from the annual poll, which also showed that Minnesotans appear to be basically split on whether voters should be required to show photo ID before voting.

The recent  was also fresh on the mind, and roughly 69 percent of polltakers said current levels of state funding should remain in effect if the governor and legislators cannot agree on a state budget for an upcoming biennium—an approach that would prevent future shutdowns.

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Here are the full results from the unscientific poll. All percentages are rounded to the nearest one-tenth. Totals are for those that actually voted on the question:

1. If the governor and legislators cannot agree on a state budget for an upcoming biennium, should the current level of funding remain in effect to prevent a state government shutdown?
Yes......................................... 69.2%........... (8,627)
No.......................................... 25.2%........... (3,137)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 5.6%................ (703)

2. Should the state constitution be amended to define marriage as only a union of one man and one woman? This question will be on the November 2012 ballot.
Yes......................................... 29.8%........... (3,743)
No.......................................... 66.5%........... (8,345)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 3.7%................ (461)

3. Should the states sales tax be expanded to include clothing purchases?
Yes......................................... 30.8%........... (3,856)
No.......................................... 62.3%........... (7,794)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 6.9%................ (862)

4. Anglers can now ice fish with two lines. Should they also be allowed to use two lines on open water during warmer months?
Yes......................................... 29.6%........... (3,696)
No.......................................... 45.8%........... (5,720)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 24.7%........... (3,083)

5. Should students be required to stay in school through age 18 or graduation, whichever comes first?
Yes......................................... 65.1%........... (8,131)
No.......................................... 26.8%........... (3,352)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 8.1%............. (1,012)

6. Local governments currently must get special legislation to impose a sales tax. Should they be permitted to impose the tax without legislative authorization?
Yes......................................... 25.5%........... (3,186)
No.......................................... 67.6%........... (8,435)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 6.9%................ (864)

7. Only the governor can call the Legislature into special session, but he or she cannot limit the agenda. Should the state constitution be changed so the Legislature can call itself into special session?
Yes......................................... 25.4%........... (3,173)
No.......................................... 64.2%........... (8,003)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 10.4%........... (1,295)

8. Should voters be required to show a current, government-issued picture ID before casting their ballot?
Yes......................................... 50.8%........... (6,361)
No.......................................... 46.4%........... (5,805)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 2.8%................ (352)

9. Should the state allow for an expansion of gambling to provide additional revenue for the state?
Yes......................................... 51.6%........... (6,455)
No.......................................... 40.1%........... (5,008)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 8.3%............. (1,035)

10. Do you support publicly funded preschool for all children?
Yes......................................... 62.5%........... (7,813)
No.......................................... 31.3%........... (3,910)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 6.2%................ (769)

11. It is currently illegal to text message while driving. Should it also be illegal to use a cellular phone, except in emergency situations?
Yes......................................... 62.3%........... (7,790)
No.......................................... 32.5%........... (4,068)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 5.2%................ (652)

12. Would you support a right-to-work law, meaning workers are not required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment?
Yes......................................... 54.2%........... (6,770)
No.......................................... 36.8%........... (4,597)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 9.0%............. (1,121)

13. Do you know who your state representative is?
Yes......................................... 88.2%......... (11,026)
No.......................................... 10.8%........... (1,354)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 0.9%................ (116)

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