Republican Gov. Chris Christie vowed Tuesday to veto a gay marriage bill under consideration in the Legislature, upending Democrats’ plans to revive a measure that failed two years ago and attempting to force lawmakers to put the issue on the ballot instead.

Recent polls show a majority of New Jerseyans support the right of same-sex couples to wed, while voters in 31 states have adopted constitutional amendments defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Democrats who control the Legislature say the issue is one of civil rights; like a woman’s right to vote or anti-discrimination measures, it doesn’t belong on the ballot. With Christie seeking a referendum and Democratic leaders resisting, a protracted political standoff is likely.

Full Story from Edge Boston

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Legislative Democrats have become born-again enthusiasts for marriage equality. The top priority of the new 215th Legislature, its leaders say, will be to enact a law giving same-sex couples the right to wedlock instead of civil unions, which have failed to provide the equal legal status that a unanimous New Jersey Supreme Court said is required by the state constitution.

How ironic.

Two years ago, in the lame-duck session of the 213th Legislature, the Democrats had an open road to enacting the gay-marriage bill that they now designate S1 in the Senate and A1 in the Assembly. They had majorities in both houses, as they do now, with a fellow Democrat, Jon Corzine, in the governor’s office, ready to sign the measure into law.

But the Senate killed it, giving it only 14 of the 21 votes it needed. The lone Republican who voted for it, Bill Baroni, no longer is a senator. Nine Democrats voted no or abstained. Among the latter was Steve Sweeney, whom Senate Democrats had just elected majority leader for the incoming 214th Legislature. Sweeney acknowledged that marriage equality was “an important social issue,” but that “the main issue right now is the economy.” The Legislature should consider same-sex marriage at another time, he said.

Full Story from NJ.com

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