Though similar legislation in New York state was not passed last week, New Jersey gay marriage advocates are hoping for a positive outcome in today’s head-to-head battle for gay marriage legislation in New Jersey.

The race against time is triggering a ferocious lobbying campaign on the part of gay rights activists. Senate members who appear to be undecided on the issue have been contacted consistently by lobbyists prior to today’s Judiciary Committee hearing.

Incoming Governor-elect Chris Christie has made it clear he will veto any such legislation, while outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine has said he will sign a law should it pass the Senate and reach his desk.

Today’s judiciary committee hearing could run well into the evening with advocates on both sides offering passionate testimony. Lawmakers will hear stories of discrimination against gay couples and — from the other side — pleas not to change the traditional definition of marriage.

“It will not be unruly, but there’s just going to be a large mass of people,” said gay marriage opponent John Tomicki of the Coalition to Preserve and Protect Marriage.

“How many issues will come along where you get this much passion and intensity?” he asked.

Tomicki is expected to testify at the hearing and says he ultimately hopes he can persuade senators to put the issue to a public vote.

Lawmakers expect the measure to pass, which would necessitate a vote by as early as this Thursday. Still, it is not clear which way the Senate will vote.

After hearing testimony today, both Democrats and Republicans in the committee are expected to cross party lines to cast their votes.

Sen. Gerry Cardinale (R-Bergen) who sponsors legislation for a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage, said it’s “to be expected” that some Republicans support gay rights.

“People are going to have personal feelings about a particular issue that may differ from someone else,” he said.

But he said a handful of Democratic senators opposed to the bill and there may not be enough support from his party to pass the measure.

“They need to get a lot more Republican votes than are potentially available to them,” Cardinale said.

More information will be updated as it’s made available.