N.J. Senate OKs same-sex marriage bill

TRENTON, N.J., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The New Jersey Senate voted 24-16 Monday afternoon to legalize gay marriage, a measure Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to veto.

The (Newark) Star-Ledger said the state Assembly is expected to take up the bill Thursday.

Two Republicans -- Sen. Jennifer Beck of Monmouth and Sen. Diane Allen of Burlington -- voted yes on the bill, the newspaper said. Two Democrats -- Sen. Ronald Rice of Essex and Sen. Jeff Van Drew of Cape May -- voted no.

The Senate would need 27 votes to override a Christie veto.

The Star-Ledger said Christie wants to put the issue of same-sex marriage before New Jersey voters in November.