The States Most Likely to Legalize Gay Marriage Next

With gay marriage back in California, gay rights activists are now looking ahead to the next battleground states, reports NBC News. So which states can we expect to see take up the fight now? Your best bets, according to advocates: Illinois almost passed legislation this year, and might have a second try in October; New Jersey might try to override Chris Christie's gay marriage bill veto, or put it on the ballot in the fall, and seven gay couples are taking it to court in August; and in Hawaii, gay marriage bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate, while advocates are also fighting in federal court.

Further into the future, Oregon could overturn its constitutional ban on gay marriage with a vote in the November 2014 election. Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, and Ohio might also be able to repeal their states' bans at that same election, but may hold off until the 2016 Presidential election, when turnout will be higher. Nevada won't be voting until at least 2016, and New Mexico is also an outside chance, with a court case that could be decided in 2014. (More gay marriage stories.)