A new poll suggests far more Marylanders are for passing November's slots referendum than are against it.

The poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports asks if respondents would vote for or against the proposed constitutional amendment were the election held today.

Fifty-four percent of respondents said they were for passing the referendum, 35 percent were against it and 11 percent weren't sure.

Earlier this month, a survey paid for and conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies showed 49 percent of those polled were for the referendum, 43 percent were against it and 8 percent were undecided. According to this poll, support for the amendment had decreased since January.

Rasmussen's 19 point spread comes at a time when the state is making more and more budget cuts, pro-slots organizations are campaigning harder than ever and the fight over the ballot's controversial language has legally ended.

Voters will decide on November's ballot if the state constitution should be amended to allow no more than 15,000 slot machine installations at five different locations across the state.

The slots referendum has become one of the most heated issues in the state. Proponents argue the slots will provide necessary funding for the state's education infrastructure and will help close the budget deficit. Opponents believe the revenue projections are overly optimistic, the ballot's language is misleading and the problems associated with gambling far outweigh the benefits.

The Rasmussen Reports poll was conducted on Sept. 20 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent and a 95 percent level of confidence. The poll surveyed 500 likely voters.

The Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies poll was conducted between Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent. The poll surveyed 833 registered voters in Maryland via phone.