Politics & Government

Same-Sex Marriage Legalized as Christie Administration Drops Appeal

Four weddings will happen in Cherry Hill Monday afternoon.

Just hours before the first four same-sex weddings are scheduled to be held in Cherry Hill, the Christie administration dropped its appeal of a Superior Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

In a two-sentence letter from acting Attorney General John Hoffman, the administration pulled its appeal, noting the state Supreme Court had left “no ambiguity” in its unanimous decision to allow same-sex marriages to begin Monday, after it denied a stay the administration had requested.

“Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,” the Christie administration said in a statement. “The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.”

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Politicians on both sides of the aisle praised the move, though for different reasons.

Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Raymond J. Lesniak said the administration's fight had been a waste of resources fighting an unconstitutional battle.

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“The State’s formal opposition in Garden State Equality v. Dow served nothing more than to deny New Jerseyans of federal marital rights,” they said in a joint statement. “This is a victory for dozens of loving same-sex couples that wed this morning across this state and for thousands more that will marry in the years to come. New Jersey is now a state that grants equality to all committed families, and we are a better state for it.”

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick told PolitickerNJ.com the decision proves Gov. Chris Christie is a “practical realist.”

Bramnick later said in a statement he wishes same-sex couples success in their newly legal marriages.

“The court’s decision allowing same-sex couples to marry is final,” he said. “This has been a long struggle where both sides have strong feelings, but the matter is settled.”

In Cherry Hill, four couples filed Friday for marriage licenses, and are scheduled to be married by Mayor Chuck Cahn Monday afternoon in a ceremony at the municipal building.


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