New Jersey to vote on gay marriage today

UPDATE: The New Jersey state senate has voted down the gay marriage bill 20-14.

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New Jersey’s state senate will vote on gay marriage sometime this afternoon, despite the pro-gay side likely not having the votes to pass the bill. Tomorrow is the last day the state legislature is in session. Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who takes office Jan. 19, opposes same-sex marriage.

From the New Jersey Star-Ledger:
“Pro-gay marriage advocates have an uphill fight to get the 21 votes needed for passage in the upper house , as only 13 senators have publicly supported the bill.

“If the bill were to pass the Senate and then pass the Assembly Monday, Gov. Jon Corzine has vowed to sign the measure and make New Jersey the sixth state to allow gay marriage.

“Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) said he’s not sure what will happen, but doesn’t “know of anyone who necessarily has changed their opinion” since last month, when the sponsors concluded there wasn’t enough support and requested it be pulled from a vote.

“Codey said he expects a long debate, but said that once he instructs senators to cast their votes, he won’t wait a long time to see if it will get the 21 needed to pass — unlike past big votes when leaders leave “the board open” until enough arms were twisted to get enough support.”