To: Luther Strange, Alabama Attorney General and Governor Kay Ivey
All Alabama Counties Must Issue Marriage Licenses
No county in Alabama can deny citizens their fundamental rights and no judge gets to pick the laws they choose to enforce. We ask that Governor Bentley and Attorney General Strange use the powers of their office to avoid future legal battles, and to mitigate further damage to Alabama's reputation.
Why is this important?
An unprecedented, and frankly unprofessional, decision was recently made by the probate judges in several Alabama counties. To avoid issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, some counties decided to stop issuing them to any of their citizens. We demand that all counties follow the law and resume issuing marriage licenses to all eligible couples. If a judge's religious beliefs interfere with the performance of the duties of their office, the only honorable thing to do is to resign from office.
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled the issuance of marriage licenses is a purely ministerial duty, and probate judges do not have judicial discretion. Allowing judges to pick and choose the laws they follow would set a very dangerous precedent that would derail the principles of justice and equality.
The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that marriage is a fundamental right. These counties are clearly denying their citizens their fundamental rights.
Under the United States Constitution, all citizens have a right to Due Process. The Constitution protects us regardless of where we live, and forcing a citizen to travel to another jurisdiction to seek justice or receive their rights is a violation of Due Process.
Both Governor Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange have stated that Alabama must follow the law. It's time for all counties to comply. Litigation has already wasted enough Alabama taxpayer money, and unless all counties fall in line, further class action lawsuits seem inevitable. We demand that all Probate Judges either immediately follow the law - or resign from office.
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled the issuance of marriage licenses is a purely ministerial duty, and probate judges do not have judicial discretion. Allowing judges to pick and choose the laws they follow would set a very dangerous precedent that would derail the principles of justice and equality.
The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that marriage is a fundamental right. These counties are clearly denying their citizens their fundamental rights.
Under the United States Constitution, all citizens have a right to Due Process. The Constitution protects us regardless of where we live, and forcing a citizen to travel to another jurisdiction to seek justice or receive their rights is a violation of Due Process.
Both Governor Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange have stated that Alabama must follow the law. It's time for all counties to comply. Litigation has already wasted enough Alabama taxpayer money, and unless all counties fall in line, further class action lawsuits seem inevitable. We demand that all Probate Judges either immediately follow the law - or resign from office.