A Washington, D.C., superior court judge Friday rejected a motion to delay the effective date of the city's marriage equality law.

Opponents sought a preliminary injunction to stop the law, which was approved by D.C. council and Mayor Adrian Fenty in December, from going to effect, but Judge Brian Holeman denied the motion, ruling that the court lacked the power "to usurp the legislative process," according to the Human Rights Campaign's Back Story blog.

The law is expected to take effect March 3, the end of a 30-day congressional review period that has been interrupted by bad weather.

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics has rejected several attempts by opponents to put the law to a popular vote. The board said any proposal to rescind the marriage law would violate the city's Human Rights Act.