The AP reports that New Jersey Judge Mary Jacobson — the one who ruled that gay marriage will be legalized inthe state by Oct. 21 — has denied a request from Governor Chris Christie’s administration to delay the legalization process until after a legal appeal is final:

The ruling Thursday from Judge Mary Jacobson moves the state a step closer to start recognizing same-sex nuptials on Oct. 21. That’s the day Jacobson had said in a previous ruling that the marriages had to be allowed.

But Christie’s administration is expected to appeal the denial to a higher court.

The administration has already asked the state Supreme Court to reverse Jacobson’s earlier ruling that the state has to allow gay couples to get married.