Newly elected Kentucky governor made an executive order to issue marriage licenses without the clerk's names, in a move to please religious officials who oppose gay marriage but still have to record the marriage.
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin's decision could reignite the case of Kim Davis, the Rowan County clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to couples who went through same-sex marriage. Her decline to issue the marriage licenses got her jailed for five days triggering a national cultural debate. According to the Wall Street Journal, Bevin said, "Today, I took action to uphold several commitments I made during my campaign."
Meanwhile, NPR reported that The American Civil Liberties Union believes this move further aggravate Kentucky's legal landscape. The group consists of lawyers that successfully sued Davis. Kentucky ACLU legal director William Sharp said "The requirement that the county clerk's name appear on marriage licenses is prescribed by Kentucky law and is not subject to unilateral change by the governor."
"Government officials, from the highest to the lowest, have a duty and responsibility to impartially administer the laws that exist," said Sharp. "Not the laws as they wish them to be."
NBC News wrote that Bevin assumed office December, after Democratic Governor Steve Beshear could no longer run for re-election due to term limits. Bevin said he ordered the new licensing process to make sure that the "religious beliefs of all Kentuckians are honored."
Bevin supported Davis and vowed to take action on this matter during his campaign. A lot of religious conservatives opted to vote for him after he made this promise. Bevin's communication director, Jessica Ditto, said the governor is firm in his stand to change the marriage licensing and there is no legislative action needed to do it.
The lawsuit against Davis still continues in Kentucky federal court with US District Judge David Bunning handling the case.
