Susan Roylance, president of Yes! for Marriage, one of three campaigns in support of the amendment, said the poll's results are encouraging, considering what she calls "misinformation" presented by amendment opponents.

"There's a lot of misinformation out there . . . that's why there's some confusion," she said. "Anyone who suggests this amendment has anything to do with hospital visitation is wrong."

Support for the initiative was strongest among those who identified themselves as very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 78 percent of whom said they'd vote for it. That group was also the only religious group identified in which a majority (56 percent) said they strongly supported the second part.

Support was also strong among Republicans, 80 percent of whom said they'd vote for the amendment. Fifty-three percent of independents said they'd vote for it, as did 30 percent of Democrats.

When broken down by region, the poll indicates strongest support in Utah County, where 70 percent said they'd vote for the amendment, and weakest in Salt Lake County where it had 56 percent support. Support was at 68 percent in Davis County, 60 percent in Weber County, and 69 percent in the rest of the state.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com