Mississippi Attorney Says Don’t Block Religious Objections Law

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A Mississippi government attorney says there’s no reason for a federal court to block a new state law that will allow clerks to cite religious objections to recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Special Assistant Attorney General Doug Miracle this week filed a response in federal court on behalf of Judy Moulder, the state registrar of vital records. Moulder was sued May 9 by the American Civil Liberties Union and a gay couple from Meridian.

The lawsuit seeks to block House Bill 1523 from becoming law July 1.

Miracle argues that even if a circuit clerk refuses to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple, someone in the office must issue it promptly.

Clerks recusing themselves from issuing licenses must file a form with Moulder’s office.