SSM in Minnesota

In November 2012, we'll be voting in Minnesota on a constitutional amendment allowing marriage only between a man and a woman.  Today's Star Tribune carries the results of a survey showing that the state's residents are evenly split on the question, but there are interesting generational, educational, and geographical divides:

Age 18-34: 33% favor the amendment

Age 65+: 70% favor the amendment

No college: 60% favor the amendment

College grad: 32% favor the amendment

Twin Cities metro: 40% favor the amendment

Rest of state: 59% favor the amendment

I'm not exactly sure what this means for the way the debate about SSM should unfold here or elsewhere.  I would guess that part of the disparity is explained by a person's exposure to, and friendship with, gays and lesbians.  In my experience, for example, older voters tend to speak in more fear-based terms when talking about SSM.  For younger voters, the fear theme tends not to be as readily discernible.  This does not mean that a campaign to persuade the 18-34 crowd to support the amendment cannot be effective; it just means the campaign needs to begin from a different premise than it would for older generations.  My colleagues Mark Osler and Teresa Collett contributed to the debate here with a point/counterpoint in the Star Tribune.