The AP has reported that on Wednesday, the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected the request of Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s office of a stay of Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza’s Friday ruling that overturned the state’s?constitutional ban on gay marriage in the state.
From USA Today:
The Arkansas attorney general’s office on Wednesday again pressed the state’s highest court to suspend a judge’s decision striking down a gay marriage ban, saying the ruling last week has led to “pervasive” confusion among clerks about whether they can grant licenses to same-sex couples.
Responding to a request filed by lawyers for gay couples seeking the dismissal of his appeal, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s office asked the court to suspend Pulaski County Judge Chris Piazza’s ruling striking down a 2004 constitutional amendment approved by voters and a similar 1997 state law. Piazza ruled Friday that the prohibition violates the U.S. and Arkansas constitution.
McDaniel’s request would have halted the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Most counties refused to grant licenses to same-sex couples as they waited for the Arkansas Supreme Court to weigh in. McDaniel stated that a stay was necessary because clerks were confused as to whether or not they were obligated to issue licenses.
“Confusion is pervasive, and this court should exercise its superintending authority over circuit courts to issue a stay,” Assistant Attorney General Colin Jorgensen wrote in the brief.
Approximately 400 licenses have been issued to same-sex couples since Judge Piazza’s ruling that struck down the 2004 constitutional amendment approved by voters.
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