It takes only four ( of nine ) votes for the court to hear a case . sway Kennedy : Decision to let same-sex marriage rulings stand has big impact . only four states with cases before court will allow same-sex marriage ; others likely will , too , he says . Toobin : Liberal , conservative blocs could n't count on sway Kennedy swing vote , perhaps . Jeffrey Toobin says the decision buys time ; it may Kennedy if more states get equality .
sway Kennedy : Decision to let same-sex marriage rulings stand has big impact . only four states with cases before court will allow same-sex marriage ; others likely will , too , he says . Toobin : Liberal , conservative blocs could n't count on sway Kennedy swing vote , perhaps . Jeffrey Toobin says the decision buys time ; it may Kennedy if more states get equality .