Same-Sex Marriage Questions Remain in New Jersey
One week ago, a judge denied the Christie Administration's motion to delay the start of same-sex marriage in New Jersey. The Administration appealed the same day, but if a stay isn't granted the state must start to allow gay couples to marry on Oct. 21. Exactly when the first marriage of a same-sex couple can actually take place is still uncertain.
As New Jerseyans wait for the State Supreme Court to rule on the Administration’s motion for a stay, today Assemblyman Reed Gusciora reached out to New Jersey’s acting Attorney General John Hoffman asking for clarification on whether same-sex couples hoping to legally wed beginning on Oct. 21 must be subject to the state’s standard 72-hour waiting period after applying for a marriage license.
“As you know, the intent of the 72-hour waiting period has been to prevent ‘Britney Spears weekend weddings’ and the like,” writes Guciora. “However, many same-sex couples are currently in longstanding civil unions or domestic partnerships, arguably making the 72-hour waiting period unwarranted.”
Because same-sex couples would have to apply marriage licenses by the close of business today in order to get married on Monday, Gusciora is looking for urgent Clarification. A Superior Court judge may, by order, waive all or any part of the 72-hour waiting period.