Minnesota divided over legalizing same-sex unions

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A new poll finds the majority of Minnesotans questioned are against legalizing same-sex marriage.

The Star Tribune Minnesota Poll (http://bit.ly/Xq94hJ ) shows 53 percent of respondents say the state statute banning same-sex unions should stand. Thirty-eight percent say legislators should overturn the law this year and 9 percent are undecided.

The poll of 800 people finds opposition to same-gender marriage strongest in outstate Minnesota where 73 percent of respondents say they're against gay marriage. The Twin Cities metropolitan area narrowly supports those who want to change the law.

Younger Minnesotans are more likely to support legalizing same-gender unions. More than half of respondents aged 18 to 34 say the law should change, with 35 percent saying it should not.

The poll conducted Feb. 25 to 27 has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com