After U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker overturned the measure, he immediately issued a stay on his decision, which means it will not go into effect until appeals are filed. The stay goes until at least Friday, when there will be another hearing. During this hearing, Judge Walker will hear arguments and decide whether to extend the stay pending appeals. If he decides not to extend the stay, then Prop. 8 advocates will appeal that decision with the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Then, losing side will probably file a "merits" appeal with the 9th Circuit, located in San Francisco. During this trial, lawyers will argue in front of three judges, who will then release a written opinion. This court has a reputation for having liberal judges, but the three judges are chosen randomly. Then, whatever side loses this appeal can file an "en banc" complaint to be heard in front of 11 judges on the court. None of this process has a deadline, so this saga could drag on for a while.