N.J. Judge Denies Christie Administration Request to Delay Same-Sex Marriage
A state Superior Court judge today denied the Christie administration’s request to delay same-sex marriages in New Jersey beyond Oct. 21 while it appeals the matter to the state Supreme Court, saying that such a move would infringe on couples’ rights.
But the administration quickly responded by requesting the same delay from the state Appellate Division instead, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. It is unclear when the court will consider the motion.
Judge Mary Jacobson ruled last month that same-sex couples in New Jersey were being denied equal rights and must be allowed to marry in view of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June ruling that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act.
The administration intends to appeal the ruling directly to the state Supreme Court to prevent the marriages, bypassing the normal procedure through the appellate courts. In the meantime, it had asked Jacobson to delay marriages until the appeal was decided.
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