Christie: Put Marriage On The Ballot

Today New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called for a ballot measure to decide on same-sex marriage. Christie's statement came during legislative hearings on the issue. He added that if any bill reaches his desk, he will veto it.

Speaking in Bridgewater, NJ, Christie said that while he personally opposes gay marriage, he thought the correct course of action was for voters to weigh in on the issue via the ballot. "Let's put the question of same sex marriage on the ballot," Christie said. "It shouldn't be decided by 121 people in Trenton." A recent Quinnipiac poll of Garden State voters found that a majority of New Jersey voters believe gay people should have the right to marry, with 52 percent supporting it and 42 percent opposed. A bill legalizing gay marriage is currently working its way through the legislature but Christie has threatened to veto the measure.

One observer at today's hearing tweeted the response of the NJ Senate president: "Civil rights don't go on the ballot."

UPDATE: Here's the video of Christie's comment.