Gay marriage bill delivered to New Jersey governor

GAY MARRIAGE APPROVED Gov. Chris Gregoire, left, is embraced by Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, after the House voted to legalize gay marriage in Washington state Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. The action comes a day after a federal appeals court declared California's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, saying it was a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples. Gregoire is likely to sign the bill next week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

TRENTON, New Jersey— A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey has been delivered to the state’s Republican governor, who has vowed to veto it.

Assembly spokesman Tom Hester says the bill was delivered to Gov. Chris Christie’s office Friday morning, a day after the chamber approved it. The Senate passed the gay marriage proposal Monday.

Christie opposes gay marriage. He has vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk.

Christie’s spokesmen didn’t immediately return emails seeking comment Friday.

The governor and most Republican lawmakers want the issue decided by public vote.

Democrats maintain that gay marriage is a civil right protected by the Constitution and isn’t subject to popular vote.

Six states and Washington, D.C., allow gay marriage. Washington state’s new gay marriage law is set to go into effect in June.