Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joseph Biden says if he lived in California, he would vote against a ballot measure that seeks to ban gay marriage.

During an appearance Monday on the "Ellen" show, Biden called Proposition 8 "regressive" and "unfair" and added that he and running mate Barack Obama opposed a similar initiative nationally.

Biden was responding to a question by the show's host, Ellen DeGeneres, who is gay and has urged California voters to oppose Proposition 8.

DeGeneres married actress Portia de Rossi in August.

Biden previously has said he supports partnership rights for gays and lesbians although he is opposed to same-sex marriage.