Put gay marriage on the ballot, Christie says
"Let the people of New Jersey decide what's right for the state," he said.
Put gay marriage on the ballot, Christie says
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE: For the full story in today's paper, click here.
As Democrats held a hearing this afternoon in Trenton on a gay marriage bill, Republican Gov. Christie held a press conference in Bridgewater with a surprise announcement: He wants the gay marriage question put on the November ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment.
Otherwise, he said, he will veto the Democrats' bill. Alternatively, a statewide referendum would be the most democratic way to make such a sweeping societal change, he said.
"Let the people of New Jersey decide what's right for the state," he said.
Saying some elements in the Democratic party want to use the issue as a "political football," he said "the issue is too big and too consequential."
He urged every legislative Republican to support a bill to put the question on the ballot. Putting the proposal before voters would require a three-fifths vote from the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
Otherwise, if Democrats send him a gay marriage bill to sign: "I will veto it. Let's be clear."
"It's bigger than just the word" marriage, he said. "It's hundreds of years of tradition, both legally, societally and religiously. And that's what I'm standing up for."
At a news conference earlier this month in which Democrats announced their attention to make this the legislative priority of the year, they said the gay marriage question should not be decided on the ballot because "civil rights issues" should be decided by Legislatures.
And Sen. Ray Lesniak (D., Union), a sponsor of the bill, just issued this statement referencing the sports betting referendum that went on the ballot in November: “Marriage equality isn't like sports betting. It's a civil right which is already guaranteed in our Constitution. It's up to the Legislature to guarantee these rights and support marriage equality for same sex couples.”
what a joke. i thought christie was all gay friendly with his NJ supreme court appointee. looks like he isn't very gay rights after all.— slanted and enchanted- God created marriage for man and women. Everything else belongs to satan.— J3player
- That's might be what your particular religion might say (although Scripture is open to interpretation too), but not science. — tom-104
- You're seriously a crackpot — djrtwilight1987
- Is that a typo, J3, or did you intend to only approve the man (singular) to marry women (plural) and everything else belongs to satan?u b a clever 3player (HTML deleted) — bosco11
- Is that a typo, J3, or did you intend to only approve the man (singular) to marry women (plural) and everything else belongs to satan?
u b a clever 3player— bosco11 - NJ residents also voted Christie as gov. They voted for him knowing he would veto any bill making gay marriage legal. If the residents did not agree they could have voted for Corzine.— Fred Berry
- Gov. Christie picks an issue to put to a vote that he knows will not likely pass - what a great governor, I mean divider...— ksam
- If it goes on the ballot, the Mormons will pump millions into a media campaign in an attempt to defeat the measure.— tdoc
- "It's bigger than just the word" marriage, he said. "It's hundreds of years of tradition, both legally, societally and religiously. And that's what I'm standing up for." What say you on the DIVORCE and ADULTERY Christie? How about we put the legality of those up for a vote? The right of same-sex couples to get married already exists in the Constitution. They are only fighting for it to be legally recognized, as it should. That is the responsibility of the Legislature, not the public. Christie just wrote himself off to a 1 term Governorship.— ChrisElliottWasRight
- You can’t let the gays get married! That would destroy the sanctity of marriage. I mean just ask the Republican moral standard Newt Gingrich - Leave your fist wife when she's diagnosed with cancer, ask your second wife for an open marriage so you can finally get to your third wife...once it gets to the third one then it's sacred.— johnny6
- better idea. remove 'Marriage' from the laws and replace with 'Civil Union'. everything is a civil union anyway. if you want to call it a marriage, that would be between you, your spouse and your religious institution.— palmyra21
- How does gay marriage effect any one or anyones marriage ? It doesn't . So why are people making such a big deal out of nothing . There are bigger things to be worried about . Like jobs, economy , murders , homicides , and of course if you have enough toilet paper. Thats a biggie .You never know when your gonna have a huge blizzard and be snowed in and run out of toilet paper. Anyways people move on with your lives. and get a hobby .— djrtwilight1987
- THe Dems know that the oxymoron of gay marriage is defeated when put to a vote. That was not the headline issue they were voted in for. The fact of the matter is that it is not marriage as defined in any way. It is a perversion of the human body. Look at the Netherlands - they have had this legal for years and the average "marriage" is 18 months. Activists never want truth to enter the picture. With all the issues facing the state and nation, they are centered on trying to change what is obvious and further bring down the wrath of God on a society that delights is creating an upside-down world where right is wrong and wrong is right. The voters are not always right, but they often can tell bad legislation when they see it.— JOHN THE NEWSHOUND
- Just put it to a vote and let it become law. I'm entitle to the same rights as everyone else. I vote, pay taxes and treat each human with respect as I would want to be treated. The time has come!— cdovidio
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
