N.H. Lawmakers to Vote on Marriage Equality Repeal

The New Hampshire House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would rescind marriage equality in the state -- a move that Gov. John Lynch has vowed to veto if it passes both Republican-controlled legislative chambers.

Observers on both sides of the issue are closely watching whether the bill, introduced by state representative David Bates, will muster the two-thirds majority needed to override that veto (the bill will move on to the Senate if it passes the House today). Bates has also called for a nonbinding referendum on whether marriage rights for gays and lesbians should be replaced with a civil unions structure.

But polling on the issue shows that a solid majority of New Hampshire residents are opposed to rolling back marriage rights for gay residents.

The House begins its session at 10 a.m. eastern time, with a vote on the marriage bill possible by this afternoon, the Associated Press reports. According to a House official, bill debate will be webcast here.

"I'm very disappointed with the actions of the legislature -- and I'm hopeful that they will not be successful," U.S. senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) told The Advocate in November of the repeal effort. "These people represent the extreme right wing within this country. ... I don't think they represent the majority of the public."

Standing Up for New Hampshire Families (@NHfamilies) will have live updates of House proceedings via Twitter.