The Vermont House of Representatives Thursday evening voted for marriage equality by a 95 to 52 margin This vote follows a 26-4 vote two weeks ago by the Vermont Senate.
The House will vote again Friday morning on a "third reading" of the bill, which is routine and usually done by voice vote after a bill passes second reading. After the Senate agrees to minor changes made by the House, the legislation will go to Republican Governor Jim Douglas, who has said he will veto the bill.
Overriding the veto requires 20 votes in the 30 member Senate, and 100 votes in the 150 member House. While advocates are confident they have more than enough votes in the Senate to override a veto, the House vote on an override is more difficult to predict.
At least 2 Democratic representatives who voted against the legislation have said they will vote to override a veto because they are angry with the Governor for intervening in the legislative process. Other conservative Democrats who opposed the bill may also join an in supporting an override – while Republicans who supported the bill may choose to support the Governor. With the final vote count hovering around 100, the fate of a veto override effort is uncertain.
The House is comprised of 96 Democrats, 47 Republicans, 5 Progressives, and 2 Independents.
Before the final vote, an amendment to put the matter to an advisory referendum was defeated 97-52.
If the law is enacted, Vermont will become the 3rd US state to recognize marriage equality (following Massachusetts and Connecticut). Vermont would be the first state to enact same-sex marriage through the legislative process without a court order.