Gay marriage cases have been added to the Supreme Court's agenda, with enough time for them to be argued and decided by late June.
The justices, following Tuesday's move, could decide as early as Jan. 9 to add same-sex marriage to their calendar this term. That date is the first time the justices will meet in private in the new year to consider adding new cases they actually will hear.
Most cases they accept for review by mid-January will be argued in late April. The court would then have about two months to reach a decision.
Lawyers for same-sex couples in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee rushed to file legal papers in time for the January conference.
The couples are appealing a November ruling that upheld anti-gay marriage laws.