(CNN) –A New Jersey Senate vote on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state has been delayed, one of the bill's sponsors said
Thursday.

The Marriage Equality Act's sponsors, Democratic Sens. Loretta Weinberg
and Raymond Lesniak, asked for the delay on Wednesday in hopes that the Assembly would begin considering it, Weinberg said.

She also said the delay would allow the public and lawmakers to study amendments to the bill that she said protect religious institutions.

Senate President Richard Codey agreed to delay to the vote, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.

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