Via JMG: NC County Official To Issue But Not Sign Same-Sex Marriage Licenses Tomorrow

The Buncombe County, North Carolina registrar says that he will issue but not sign same-sex marriage licenses beginning tomorrow. And then he'll turn to the state Attorney General, who this week endorsed marriage equality, for his advice.
From the News & Record:

A 2012 amendment to North Carolina's Constitution forbids same-sex couples from marrying. But Drew Reisinger said Tuesday he will issue the licenses and ask state Attorney General Roy Cooper for legal advice. The Campaign for Southern Equality has been going from county to county, trying to find someone to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples as part of its "We Do" campaign. Group spokesman Aaron Sarver says same-sex couples will show up Tuesday at the Register of Deeds office in Asheville to apply for licenses.

More from the Mountain Xpress:

“I will let each couple know that it is my hope to grant them a license, but I need to seek the North Carolina Attorney General’s approval," Reisinger said. "I have concerns about whether we are violating people's civil rights based on this summer's Supreme Court decision. The Campaign for Southern Equality notified Reisinger that at least six same-sex couples would request marriage licenses Tuesday. Reisinger will allow the couples to complete and sign their applications. He will accept the applications but withhold his own signature.

And from Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed:

According to a statement Monday evening from the Campaign for Southern Equality, the group informed Reisinger on Monday that at least six same-sex couples would request marriage licenses Tuesday. Unlike other times the Campaign has gone to seek marriage licenses across the South, however, Reisinger has announced that he will allow the couples to complete and sign their applications. He will accept the applications, his office has stated, but withhold his own signature.
“I will then let the Attorney General know that I would like to issue these couples licenses, but that I need his clarification on the laws of the state that seem to contradict the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution,” Reisinger said. Brenda Clark who, with her partner Carol McCrory, will apply for a license in Buncombe County tomorrow as part of the WE DO Campaign, said in a statement, “We are hopeful that Attorney General Cooper will do the right thing and recognize our right to marry after 25 years in a committed relationship and having raised 2 kids together.”

The Attorney General is warning Reisinger not to act. From the Citizen-Times:

Cooper’s office issued a brief statement Monday night in response to Reisinger’s announcement, pointing out that the state constitution prohibits anyone from issuing licenses to same sex couples. “The State Constitution says that these marriage licenses cannot be issued, and this is the law unless the Constitution is changed or the court says otherwise,” said Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for Cooper’s office. “This very issue is the subject of pending litigation against the State of North Carolina.”

(Tipped by JMG readers Matthew and Alexander)

Labels: LGBT rights, marriage equality, North Carolina

reposted from Joe