New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a newly passed bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state, the New York Times is reporting. The veto was conditional, asking the State Legislature to amend the bill. Instead of legalizing gay marriage, an overseer would handle complaints that the state’s five-year civil union law doesn’t provide gay couples with the same protections that marriage would.

Christie asked the Legislature to put a referendum on same-sex marriage on the ballot in November, as “an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide.” He added that same-sex couples deserve the same benefits as married couples. He also said he wanted to create a new ombudsman to make sure gay couples don’t suffer discrimination.

Christie added that civil unions don’t discriminate, and the state has only received 13 complaints since the law was passed in 2006. However, Democrats, who have made same-sex marriage a primary goal, accused the governor of not doing anything to end separate-but-equal discrimination against gay couples.

The veto was expected though, as Christie is Roman Catholic and has long opposed gay marriage. He also has an eye on the national stage, where conservative voters have a large influence.

Written by: Karen Benardello