Assembly Leader Measures Support for Gay Marriage

The leader of the New Jersey Assembly is planning a head count to gauge how many Democrats would support legislation allowing gay couples to marry.

Speaker Sheila Oliver tells The Associated Press that Monday's count will be the first time Assembly Democrats have been polled on marriage equality, even though both houses of the Legislature have made it their top priority.

Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

The legislation needs 41 Assembly votes to pass. The chamber has enough Democrats to pass the bill without Republican support, but not all Democrats support the bill.

In the Senate, 21 votes are needed for passage. Assembly and Senate committees have advanced the bill to the full floor. It could be voted on next week.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)