California's Gay Marriage Opponents Outraising Marriage Equality Supporters

California's Proposition 8, the ballot measure that would ban gay marriage, has attracted a total of $41.2 million from donors on both sides of the issue who are trying to either pass or defeat the initiative, reports the Associated Press. Altogether, the donations represent more money than was spent on similar marriage amendment battles in 24 states combined.

Supporters of outlawing same-sex marriage have taken a substantial lead in fundraising with ProtectMarriage.com taking in $25.4 million through September 30th this year; and the main 'No' on 8 committee reporting $15.8 million in donations.

Steve Smith, manager of Equality for All, a coalition of groups working to defeat Prop. 8, predicted the coffers for both sides would level out by Nov. 4. "What's happening is a little seesaw battle," Smith told the AP.

But fundraising winds down in about a week and a new SurveyUSA poll suggests supporters of the ban have put their money to good use with an ad that featured marriage equality champion Gavin Newsom addressing a cheering crowd about gay marriage and declaring, "It is going to happen now, whether you like it or not.”

The poll found that California voters now support the ballot measure 47% to 42%, while the same poll taken eleven days prior gave opponents of the ban a 5-point advantage.