Cory Booker to Officiate Same-Sex Marriages in NJ

Not long after Cory Booker was elected to the U.S. Senate he announced that he plans to conduct same-sex marriages in New Jersey, which are set to take place on Oct. 21 at 12:01 a.m., BuzzFeed reports.

In September, Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson ruled that New Jersey's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, citing the Supreme Court's ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act. Jacobson later refused an appeal by Republican Gov. Chris Christie's administration to delay the start of gay marriage.

According to BuzzFeed, Booker, who is currently the Democratic mayor of Newark, will hold the first same-sex wedding on Oct. 21 at City Hall after midnight. About 10 couples and their families are expected to attend the event.

On Friday, the Associated Press reported that several cities around New Jersey are gearing up for same-sex couples to legally tie the knot. The state's Supreme Court, however, could block gay marriage from occurring if they rule before Oct. 21.

Garden State Equality Executive Director Tory Stevenson told the AP that applications are being accepted in communities like Newark, Asbury Park, Lambertville, Lodi and Red Bank. He added that judges will be available around the state starting Sunday night.

BuzzFeed reports that in Newark, same-sex couples who want to get married by Booker must fill out and sign a marriage license application by 10 a.m. Friday. The couples are allowed to bring up to five guests and should arrive at the city's City Hall an hour before the event.