( CNN ) -- A political battle is shaping up in the Garden State about whether to give gay and lesbian couples the right to wed -- a move that , if approved , would make New Jersey the seventh state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage . How the issue plays out was the subject of a series of political thrusts and parries this week between a Democratic-controlled state legislature and a Republican governor , who supports New Jersey 's civil unions but opposes same-sex marriage . Gov . Chris Christie , a conservative favorite once thought of as a potential presidential contender , called Tuesday for a state-wide referendum to settle the issue . `` This issue that our state 's exploring , whether or not to redefine hundreds of years of societal and religious traditions , should not be decided by 121 people in the statehouse in Trenton , '' the governor said during a town hall meeting . `` The institution of marriage is too serious to be treated like a political football . '' The referendum would put the decision into the hands of residents of New Jersey , where recent polling suggests that those in favor of legalizing hold a slight majority . It would also largely absolve Christie from making good on a pledge to veto the bill during a legislative session -- a move that analysts say may help preserve his conservative credentials , while presumably stealing a win from Democratic lawmakers who have long pushed for the measure . A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that 52 % of New Jersey voters are in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage . But Christie 's Democratic opponents argue that a referendum should n't be used to decide civil rights issues , pointing to historic legislative and judicial decisions regarding the rights of African Americans and women . `` We do not put civil rights questions on the ballot , '' Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg said Tuesday . `` With all due respect to my colleagues at the other side of the table , a couple of them took a cop out . '' Christie 's statement Tuesday also frustrated gay-rights advocates , whose spirits were buoyed a day earlier with the governor 's nomination of Bruce Harris , New Jersey 's first openly gay state Supreme Court justice if confirmed . `` It 's abhorrent to put civil rights on the ballot , '' said Steven Goldstein , chairman of a gay and lesbian rights group called Garden State Equality . `` They want to corrupt the political system with donor money . The kind of money that we ca n't raise . '' The likelihood of a referendum reaching voters is uncertain given the makeup of the Democratic-controlled state legislature . Activists , in opposing such referendums , often point to the politics of Maine and California . In 2009 , Maine state legislators passed a same-sex marriage bill that drew subsequent challenges by opponents who pushed for a referendum that ultimately overturned the law with 53 % of the vote . Still , gay rights advocates in Maine this week garnered thousands of signatures in an effort to force a second referendum in November . In California , a 2008 public vote outlawed gay and lesbian couples ' right to wed. Two years later , a federal district court overturned the voter-approved measure known as Proposition 8 , saying couples were unfairly denied their rights . The ban has remained in place during the appeals process and could soon get a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court . Similar battles have also unfolded in Maryland and Washington state , where same-sex marriage opponents have pressed for referendums to counter bills that appear to enjoy growing support in their state houses . Earlier this week , Mary Margaret Haugen -- once considered the holdout vote in Washington 's 49-member Senate , said she would step in as the crucial 25th vote in order to pass the marriage bill . Supporters say the legislation already has a majority behind it in the state House of Representatives , and Washington 's Democratic Gov . Christine Gregoire pledged to sign the bill if passed . But opponents told the Senate Government Operations Committee that they are n't done fighting . Joseph Backholm , director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington , said the issue should be put to a public vote . `` If we as a state are going to take the position that mothers and fathers are interchangeable and replaceable , if we are going to send a message to fathers and potential fathers in this state that it is n't important to be in the lives of their children because dads specifically do n't matter , that is something we should all do together , '' he said . In June , New York Gov . Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill that made his state the sixth to legalize same-sex marriage , more than doubling the number of Americans living in places that permit such unions . Five other states -- Massachusetts , Connecticut , Iowa , Vermont and New Hampshire -- and the District of Columbia currently grant same-sex marriage licenses . With Hawaii and Delaware joining the list earlier this month , five other states now recognize civil unions , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures . New Jersey , Illinois and Rhode Island also recognize civil unions providing state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples . CNN 's Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report .
Gov . Chris Christie has called for a referendum to settle the same-sex marriage issue . Gay rights advocates argue that such issues should n't go to a public vote . A recent poll found that 52 % of New Jersey voters are in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage . Six states and the District of Columbia currently grant same-sex marriage licenses .