It's looking like the final vote for marriage equality in the Hawaii state House could be Friday:
In a roll call vote, House lawmakers voted 30-18 to move forward the bill for a final reading, with three members excused. The bill will go to a last vote on Friday.
If the measure passes the House, it will have to be approved by the state Senate because of three amendments added during a House committee hearing.
The vote came after several rejected attempts on Wednesday to modify and change the bill, plus smaller votes that revealed majority support to move along the measure.
If the sessions go as planned, the House will vote on the bill Friday, allowing the Senate to give its final approval Tuesday before forwarding the bill to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called the special session. Abercrombie has said he approves of the bill as amended by the House.
The big surprise last night came when openly lesbian Democratic Rep. Jo Jordan of Waianae said she would oppose the bill despite her personal beliefs. Sad to say, it would appear the five days of anti-gay testimony swayed her opinion.
"I might vote against something that I personally believe in. I personally believe I should have the right," Jordan said. "You know how hard it is for me to say no? I have to say no."
As it currently stands, if the bill passes in current form marriage equality would begin in Hawaii on December 2, 2013.
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