North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper
In reaction to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals declared Virginia’s marriage ban unconstitutional, three other states in the circuit announced three different plans for their states.
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) announced that he will no longer legally enforce his state’s ban on marriage equality.
“Our attorneys have vigorously defended North Carolina marriage law, which is their job,” Cooper said, according the Raleigh Herald Sun. “But today we know our law almost surely will be overturned as well. Simply put, it is time to stop making arguments we will lose and instead move forward, knowing that the ultimate resolution will likely come from the U.S. Supreme Court.”
He didn’t say if he will stop county clerks from issuing licenses and, so far, none have announced they will.
Several religious groups, including United Church of Christ and Reform Judaism, filed suit against North Carolina claiming its ban on same-sex marriage violates their freedom of religion.
In South Carolina, Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) announced he will continue to defend and enforce the state’s ban on marriage equality.
The office of West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) announced, “West Virginia’s case remains pending, so … marriage laws are still in effect as enacted by the Legislature.”
The announcement said the office “is reviewing the decision and will withhold comment until the decision is final.”
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati will hear arguments on Aug. 6 for Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee.
The 7th Circuit court of Appeals in Chicago is set for arguments on Aug. 26, and the 9th Circuit in San Francisco for Sept. 8. The 10th Circuit in Denver overturned Utah’s ban in June.
