The ruling issued Tuesday by Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg broadens the scope of the suit by allowing further argument over whether denying gay couples permission to wed violates the U.S. Constitution.
But analysts say the issue is still likely headed to the state Supreme Court, no matter how lower court judges rule.
The ruling comes five days after the Legislature passed a law to legalize same-sex matrimony and four days after Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it.
