Poll shows Michigan voters approve of gay rights, legalized marijuana, Gov. Snyder

DETROIT – A new poll conducted by the Glengariff Group says Michigan voters approve of gay rights, legalized marijuana and Gov. Rick Snyder.

The 600-person representative sample of state voters, Lansing leaders and Michigan residents found that participants have different views on gay rights.

Voters support same sex marriage by a margin of 55.5 percent to 32.5 percent. This support level is statistically identical to levels in surveys conducted in 2012 and 2014. By a margin of 61.4 percent to 27.3 percent, Michigan voters support recognizing same sex marriages in Michigan if they are performed in other states and the couple were to move to Michigan.

Michiganders also overwhelmingly support expanding the Elliot-Larsen Act to include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered residents for housing and employment by a 77 percent to 17.9 percent margin. Even Strong Republican voters support expansion by a margin of 70.8 percent to 22.0 percent. Voters over the age of 65 support expansion by a margin of 76.9 percent to 18.0 percent.

Michigan voters unequivocally oppose ‘Religious Freedom' legislation that would allow a business to deny service to a customer based on their religious beliefs by an overwhelming 18.5 percent to 76.5 percent margin.

A solid majority, 56.1 percent, of Michigan voters support legalizing and taxing small amount of marijuana for adults over the age of 21 years old, while 35.7 percent oppose legalization.

The Glegariff poll also exposed generational disagreement on the issue. While voters under 30 years old support passage by a margin of 73.7 percent to 15.1 percent, voters over the age of 65 oppose passage by a margin of 39.2 percent to 51.3 percent.

Voters also approve of the performance of Governor Rick Snyder by a margin of 55.1 percent to 39.3 percent, representing Snyder's highest job approval performance to date.

Even in the overwhelmingly Democratic city of Detroit, Snyder's approval rating matches his disapproval rating, 47.5%.

However, the state legislature remains unpopular. By a margin of 34.3 percent to 50.0 percent, Michigan voters disapprove of the performance of the State Legislature.