News (USA)

Alaska asks federal appeals court to delay same-sex marriages

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The state of Alaska is asking a federal appeals court for a stay after a judge ruled the state's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional. The state seeks the stay from the 9th Circuit Court while it appeals the lower court's opinion.
By · Updated on October 17, 2014
Alaska asks federal appeals court to delay same-sex marriages

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The state of Alaska is asking a federal appeals court for a stay after a judge ruled the state’s gay marriage ban is unconstitutional.

The state seeks the stay from the 9th Circuit Court while it appeals the lower court’s opinion.

The motion for a stay was taken to the appeals court after U.S. District Court Timothy Burgess denied the same request from the state Tuesday. Burgess on Sunday struck down the state’s ban passed by voters in 1998 as unconstitutional.

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Gay couples statewide began applying for marriage licenses on Monday, starting a three-day clock before ceremonies can be held.

The state wants a stay before marriages start on Thursday. However, a few couples have received waivers from judges and have already been married.

The appeals court didn’t immediately rule.

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