TRENTON, N.J. — During the final session of the year, New Jersey’s Senate failed to override the governor’s veto of a measure to permit residents who change their gender to update their birth certificates.
The Senate suspended a vote on Thursday after falling one vote short of the necessary 27 to override Chris Christie.
The measure would have authorized the state’s registrar of vital statistics to issue an amended birth certificate for a person who submits a request. Under current law, such a person would have to first undergo sex-reassignment surgery to get an amended birth certificate.
In his veto, Christie said “appropriate safeguards” should accompany changes affecting birth certificates because they “unlock access” to benefits like passports and social services.
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