FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - The Washington County attorney says same-sex marriage licenses will again be offered at the county clerk’s office.
County Attorney George Butler said Thursday that a ruling by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza opened the way for the county to resume issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on Friday.
He says Clerk Betty Lewallen wants time to get the necessary staff in place but said she would issue same-sex licenses Thursday “if somebody insisted on one.”
Butler says Lewallen’s office has been fielding some angry calls and emails and is also handling early voting.
Lewallen’s office issued same-sex marriage licenses earlier in the week but stopped because of court actions.
Butler says he expects the state Supreme Court to issue a stay pending a state appeal of Piazza’s ruling.
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