GOP lawmakers in NM file lawsuit to stop issuance of same-sex marriage licenses

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A group of Republican legislators is asking a state district court in southern New Mexico to stop a county clerk from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

A lawyer for the GOP legislators said Friday the lawsuit was filed in Las Cruces, where Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins last week began issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

Since then, five other counties have taken similar steps. Los Alamos County could become the seventh county to issue licenses. A judge has ordered the clerk to start granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples or to appear in court next week to explain why that shouldn’t happen.

Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover said the ruling is under review and no decision made on what will be done.