HRC Blog

New Jersey State Legislature Passes Historic Marriage Equality Bill

February 16, 2012 by Dan Rafter, Online Campaigns Manager

The New Jersey Assembly has just passed historic marriage equality legislation by a vote of 42-33. The Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act passed the State Senate earlier this week by a bipartisan vote of 24-16.

Unfortunately, Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to buck the will of the majority of New Jersey voters and the State Legislature by vetoing the legislation.

According to new polling from the Eagleton Center, 54 percent of New Jersey voters support marriage equality, an upswing of nearly ten points in two years.

Both the State Senate and Assembly will need a two-thirds majority vote to override Gov. Christie’s expected veto. The current legislative sessions expires in January 2014.

HRC has been proud to partner with Garden State Equality (GSE) in achieving this historic legislative victory. HRC will continue to support GSE in ensuring all loving, committed same-sex couples in New Jersey have the right to marry.