Political Scientist in Globe Report on Same-Sex Marriage
UMaine political scientist Mark Brewer was quoted in a Boston Globe story about the coming vote on Question 1, which seeks to legalize same-sex marriage in Maine. Brewer discussed the phenomenon of what is known as the “social desirability effect,” with people who say they are undecided on an issue being likely to give a politically correct answer when asked how they are leaning. Still, he added, a coordinated grass-roots effort this year may have caused opinion change since Maine’s 2009 vote rejected same-sex marriage. Brewer was also in a Seacoast Online editorial in which he said the pro same-sex marriage group Mainers United for Marriage has been very visible on campus this fall.
Contact: Jessica Bloch, (207) 581-3777