Same-sex marriage is a "deal-breaker issue" for millennials, and it could affect the way they vote in elections.

According to a report from Reason-Rupe, seven in 10 millennials favor legalizing same-sex marriage. Of those, 43 percent "strongly support" legalization, while 23 percent "somewhat" support it. Only 29 percent of millennials opposed legalizing same-sex marriage -- 19 percent "strongly oppose" and 12 percent "somewhat."

Millennials affiliated with the Republican Party also supported same-sex marriage, 54 percent to 45 percent. Independent millennials support legalization, 60 percent to 36 percent. Democratic millennials showed the most support, 73 percent in favor to 21 percent against.

"Nearly a third of Republican millennials say they trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle this issue; only nine percent of millennial Democrats feel the same about Republicans," noted the Reason-Rupe survey.

Most conservative millennials oppose same-sex marriage, according to the report, as 69 percent were against legalization and 31 percent in support. Millennials who consider themselves "moderate" support legalizing same-sex marriage, at 65 percent, while support is 85 percent among liberals, 72 percent among libertarians and 77 percent among progressives.

When it comes to elections, 45 percent of millennials stated they will not vote for a candidate who opposes same-sex marriage, even if the millennial agrees with the candidate on other issues. If a political candidate opposes same-sex marriage, 52 percent of millennials stated they would continue to support the candidate.

"But since the median millennial voter supports legalizing same-sex marriage, and the trend is continuing toward greater support, the issue most likely presents a challenge to the Republican Party which has repeatedly codified their opposition to same-sex marriage in their party platform," the Reason-Rupe survey added.

Approximately a third of millennials stated that a candidate who "favors free markets and less government spending" would oppose same-sex marriage. The Reason-Rupe report suggested that fiscally conservative politicians who are also socially liberal have to "make extra efforts" to highlight their support of personal and economic freedoms.

"Otherwise, a significant share of millennials may dismiss free market candidates because they assume they disagree on social issues," the report noted.

The Reason-Rupe 2014 Millennial Survey noted millennials do not trust either the Democratic or Republican Parties and see themselves as "social liberals and fiscal centrists." Millennials showed "disproportionate frustration" toward the Republican Party. Respondents who identified themselves as Republican even stated they don't trust the GOP on fiscal and foreign policy issues.

According to the survey, in addition to same-sex marriage, the Republican Party's "hard line" on social issues such as marijuana and online gambling has also distanced millennials.

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