Local Digest

THE DISTRICT

Same-sex ruling upheld by judge

A third Superior Court judge has denied a request by opponents of same-sex marriage to overturn D.C. Board of Elections rulings against a referendum on the issue.

The decision by Superior Court Judge Brian F. Holeman means same-sex couples might be able to start getting married in the District in about two weeks.

Attorneys for Stand4MarriageDC and the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal organization, appeared in court to challenge a ruling that upheld the elections board's decision. The attorneys also asked the court to block the law from taking effect while their lawsuit proceeds.

Holeman denied the request, according to Brian K. Flowers, chief counsel to the D.C. Council. Holeman, according to Flowers, also denied a request to permit an immediate appeal to the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Holeman's ruling will not be official until Monday, said Austin Nimocks, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund. Once it is, opponents plan to file an immediate appeal.

Holeman becomes the third Superior Court judge to rule against same-sex marriage opponents, upholding the decision by the elections board that putting the issue on the ballot would violate the city's Human Rights Act.

-- Tim Craig

MARYLAND

Jockey Club supports vote on slots casino

The Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Laurel Park racetrack, has spent more than $377,000 on efforts to force a public vote on whether a slots casino should be allowed at a competing location in Anne Arundel County.