The constitutional amendment on marriage appears poised to pass, but a new poll shows support slipping two weeks before the May 8 primary.
The Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday shows 54 percent of primary voters support making marriage between one man and one woman the only legal union recognized in North Carolina -- a four-percentage-point drop from a month ago.
Black voters' support for the amendment has declined, poll results show, with 51 percent in favor and 39 percent opposed. A PPP survey in late March had black voter support at 61 percent. Democratic primary voters are split evenly. The referendum needs a majority for approval.
Opposition increased slightly to 40 percent from 38 percent, a nudge within the poll's 2.9 percent margin of error, according to PPP, a left-leaning polling firm based in Raleigh.
The survey shows more primary voters are starting to understand the amendment would ban gay marriage and civil unions. But 10 percent still erroneously think it legalizes gay marriage and another 27 percent are unsure what it would do.
Correction: Changes results on black voters' support.
