Americans are largely against bills like North Carolina's controversial bathroom law, which requires transgender people to use the bathroom corresponding to their biological sex, according to a new CNN/ORC poll

The poll finds that 57 percent of people are against laws that require transgender people to use bathrooms that match their biological sex. Only 38 percent support these laws. Nearly 40 percent strongly oppose such laws, while 25 percent are strongly in favor.

ADVERTISEMENT

About 75 percent of respondents support laws guaranteeing equal protection for transgender people in jobs, housing and public accommodations.

Democrats and independents are more likely than Republicans to oppose bills like North Carolina's bathroom law.

The poll finds that Republicans are split on the issue, with 48 percent in support and the same percentage against these types of laws. Moderate and liberal Republicans were generally more against such laws, while conservative Republicans were more in favor.

The poll was conducted by telephone from April 28 to May 1 among 1,001 adults. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.

The poll was conducted before the Department of Justice sent a letter to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) saying the state's law violated the Civil Rights Act. The letter required that McCrory respond by Monday to confirm "that the State will not comply with or implement HB2."

On Monday, North Carolina filed a lawsuit against the federal government in an effort to keep the state's law in place.