The Cache County Clerk’s office has been closed in light of the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby allowing same-sex marriages in Utah. In a statement issued Monday morning from the Cache County Attorney’s Office, the clerk’s office will be closed “to sort out the legal issues and confusion created in the wake of Judge Shelby’s ruling.”
“Furthermore, the governor of the State of Utah, commenting on the chaotic state created by the opinion has affirmed that the State will seek a stay of the Federal Judge’s order and will be appealing the decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.”
The Cache County Attorney’s office declined to comment any further.
A few couples were seen outside the Cache County Clerk’s office Monday morning and they were admittedly hoping to get married there.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby ruled that Utah’s constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2004 violates gay and lesbian couples’ rights under the 14th Amendment. Clerks in Salt Lake County began immediately issuing marriage licenses to gay couples Friday afternoon.
However, lawyers for the state want the ruling put on hold as they appeal the decision. On Sunday, a federal appeals court rejected the state’s emergency request to stay the ruling, saying it couldn’t rule on a stay since Shelby hasn’t acted on the motion before him.
Shelby is holding a hearing Monday on the request. The Cache County Clerk’s office will remain closed until further notice.