Next for New Jersey: High Court Ruling on Marriage

Issue could be settled by October 21

Following last Friday’s dramatic court decision that ruled New Jersey must extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s administration has appealed to a higher court.

Acting Attorney General John Hoffman asked the State Supreme Court to review the case and to issue a stay on implementing marriage equality until October 21. Christie has said that he wants the marriage issue decided by voters, not courts or the legislature.

Marriage equality advocates would rather Christie drop his opposition to same-sex marriage, but barring that, acknowledged that the Supreme Court can expedite the matter.

“We know it’s going there so there should be no delay,” Senate President Steve Sweeney told the Associated Press. “By Oct. 21st, people should know, yes or no.”

Last Friday, Judge Mary Jacobson ruled in favor of six same-sex couples seeking marriage equality in a suit sponsored by Garden State Equality. They argued that they were being denied federal marital benefits allowed by the repeal of DOMA because they were not allowed to marry in New Jersey.


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