Lottery will choose couples to wed on first day of same-sex marriage

Many same-sex couples had similar plans – get married on the historic first day they legally could. The only problem was the abundance of couples that had the same idea.
In what is expected to be a historically busy day at the City Clerk’s offices on Sunday, July 24, a lottery has been set up to randomly select the couples to wed on the first day of same-sex marriages.
The city clerk’s web site has already received over 2,500 applications for marriage licenses since July 5th – the first day same-sex couples were able to begin applying. Many of those couples planned on visiting the clerk’s office on the 24th.
Seven hundred and sixty four slots are open through the lottery for both same-sex and opposite sex couples to wed. Of those slots, 112 will be available at the Queens city clerk’s office.
Not only will the day be momentous for the same-sex couples that can finally wed, but the 764 planned marriages would mark the most ever in a single day in New York City. It is over 100 more than the previous high of 621 that were wed on Valentine’s Day 2003.
“We’ve done our homework, and it’s clear that the number of couples who want to marry on Sunday is more than the City Clerk’s offices could possibly handle,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “And the last thing we want is for couples to wait on line for hours and hours, only to walk away upset on what was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.”
The fairest way to decide who gets married is a lottery, the mayor said. The lottery will be open until Thursday, July 21 at noon. To enter the lottery visit to the city clerk’s web site and fill out the application. The randomly selected winners will be notified no later than noon on Friday, July 22. All the couples chosen will be guaranteed access to all services at the clerk’s office on the 24th.
Many couples will have to fill out an application, receive a judicial waiver – New York State law requires a 24-hour waiting period after obtaining a marriage license – and wed in the same day. To help with the heavy workload more than 60 judges from around the state have volunteered to work Sunday.