The Bluegrass Poll, conducted by The Courier-Journal and published Tuesday, found 76 percent of likely voters polled said they would vote for the amendment Nov. 2. Eighteen percent were opposed, and 6 percent said they were undecided.

A Bluegrass Poll in May showed 70 percent of likely voters favored the amendment and 25 percent opposed it. Last month, the poll found 72 percent in favor and 22 percent opposed.

The September poll results are statistically the same as the results of the October poll, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. The telephone poll questioned 690 likely voters from Oct. 18 to 20.

The poll shows support for the amendment across all regions of Kentucky, all age groups, educational and income levels, both major political parties and most religious categories.

Only in a handful of demographic and political categories, such as those with no religious preference and those who identify themselves as political liberals, was there a statistical tie between opponents and supporters of the amendment.

Of those supporting the re-election of Republican President George W. Bush - who has supported a similar marriage amendment on the federal level - 89 percent favor the Kentucky amendment. That compares with 59 percent of supporters of Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential challenger, who opposes gay marriage but believes states should decide the issue.

Sarah Reece, campaign manager for the group NO on the Amendment, said she was not discouraged by the poll results.

She said the volunteers are reporting that many voters initially tell them they support the amendment, then are less likely to support it when volunteers say it would also restrict civil unions.

An advocate for the amendment said he was pleased with the poll results.

"It doesn't surprise me that there is strong support for marriage throughout the commonwealth," said Kent Ostrander of the Vote Yes for Marriage campaign.