Gay and lesbian couples can begin marrying in Maryland as early as Jan. 4, after 52 percent of state voters approved of same-sex marriage on Election Day.

In some counties, couples may be able to apply for marriage licenses immediately, though they won’t be able to receive the licenses until Jan. 2 at the earliest, according to Alan Brody, spokesman for Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. They can get married 48 hours later.

Recommended Stories

Maryland tops nation in progress for low-income students

Md. redistricting ballot measure taken to court again

O’Malley pushes wind farms, citing cheap costs