---
"title": "Is Gay Marriage a Campaign Issue?"
"description": "Gay marriage (28%) ranks lowest in importance among 16 campaign issues."
"date": "2008-07-09"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2008/07/09/is-gay-marriage-a-campaign-issue/"
---

# Is Gay Marriage a Campaign Issue?

As it did in October 2004, gay marriage ranks lowest in importance among 16 campaign issues for the average U.S. voter; overall, 28% say gay marriage will be very important to their vote, down slightly from 32% in 2004. Far more Republicans than Democrats (19 points) rate gay marriage as very important. White evangelical Protestants (49%) place the most importance on the issue. Currently, 49% of the public opposes allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally, while 38% support gay marriage. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/868/gay-marriage)