The New Hampshire state Senate voted 13-11 to legalize same-sex marriage on Wednesday. The legislation will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010 unless it is vetoed by Gov. Lynch, D-N.H.
Lynch has said publicly that he opposes same-sex marriage, but has not commented as to whether he would veto legislation legalizing gay marriage.
If Lynch declines to take any action to block the legislation, the bill will automatically pass into law. The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved the bill on March 26 by a vote of 186 to 179.
The state Senate's Judiciary Committee had recommended against approving the bill by a vote of 3-2 last Thursday.
Three states, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa, currently permit same-sex marriages.
The Vermont legislature overrode Republican Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of legislation legalizing same-sex marriage on April 7, approving legislation that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2010.
The N.H. state Senate also approved a bill legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana on Wednesday by a vote of 14-10.
