 While the court did not issue an opinion on October 23, same-sex marriage advocates said they were encouraged by the justices' statements, which the "Journal" said included "tough" and "pointed questions" for attorneys representing Republican state legislators seeking a court ban on same-sex marriage in New Mexico.Albuquerque-market television news station KRQE reported that Republican Senator Bill Sharer had suggested that voters could remove Supreme Court justices from office, vote out state legislators or pass a new constitutional amendment if they are unhappy with how the court rules.On December 19, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the State Constitution required the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples.