“Iowans are not yet ready to support gay marriage completely, but they are clearly ready to legally acknowledge same-sex relationships,” said David Redlawsk, associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa. “For many the idea of marriage may still be a step too far, but at the same time they are willing to recognize committed relationships.”

The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments in the legal challenge to the state’s same-sex marriage law on Dec. 9. The poll, which was drawn from the Big Ten Battleground Poll, found that support for same-sex marriage will get a boost if the state’s high court rules in favor of it, jumping 7 percentage points.

“Clearly opinion on the issue of gay marriage will change if the Iowa Supreme Court rules that the state’s constitution requires it,” Redlawsk said.

A majority of Iowa voters under age 30 are already in favor of gay marriage, suggesting that support for it could grow as time goes on. Less than one-fifth of younger voters oppose any legal recognition of same-sex relationships.