On Tuesday, The Legislature's interim Judiciary Committee debated whether changes should be made. Photo:

On Tuesday, The Legislature's interim Judiciary Committee debated whether changes should be made. Photo:

BISMARCK, N.D. — The Minneapolis attorney challenging North Dakota’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage says the state is on track to be one of the last states to allow such bans.

Josh Newville is representing the seven same-sex couples that filed a lawsuit against North Dakota in June.

The U.S. Supreme Court turned away appeals Monday that effectively raised the number of states allowing the practice from 19 to 30. On Tuesday a federal appeals court rejected bans in Idaho and Nevada, which could become the 31st and 32nd states.

Newville questioned Tuesday whether North Dakota wants to be remembered as one of the last states in the country to legalize same-sex marriage.

He says a federal district judge could rule or dismiss the case any time. He could also request oral arguments.

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