California Clerks Urged to Follow Marriage Laws Despite Refusal by California Supreme Court and Governor Schwarzenegger

by Staff
June 6, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif., (christiansunite.com) -- With both the California Supreme Court and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger refusing to abide by constitutional separation of powers and the California statutes recognizing only man-woman marriages, a leading California pro- family organization has contacted county clerks to urge them to be the last and best defense for man- woman marriage licenses.

On May 27, Campaign for Children and Families (CCF) faxed letters and documentation to 38 of 58 county clerks, where the man-woman marriage ethic is its strongest in California. Already several clerks have responded, telling CCF they intend NOT to issue any same-sex "marriage" licenses.

CCF's letter and legal documentation reached clerks on Wednesday, the same day that the Schwarzenegger administration sent clerks altered marriage license application forms, replacing the statutory "bride"/"groom" requirement with unlawful "Party A" and "Party B" designations.

"We're encouraging the clerks to abide by the express will of the written California Constitution and the man-woman marriage statutes, and to respect the democratic process which will be decided at the ballot box in November, by not issuing marriage licenses to anyone but a man and woman," said CCF President Randy Thomasson. "The judges and the Governor are violating the Constitution and the statutes, but county clerks know they have a duty follow the statutes, which haven't been changed yet. Clerks don't have to issue homosexual 'marriage' licenses, and they shouldn't."

Gary Kreep, executive director of the San Diego- based United States Justice Foundation, is offering pro bono legal counsel to clerks who resist the Supreme Court's unconstitutional ruling:

"We're asking that you please decline to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples unless and until the Legislature changes the marriage statutes, the People change the Constitution, and/or all legal options have been exhausted," Kreep wrote the clerks.

CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (CCF) is a leading West Coast nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing children and families. CCF stands for marriage and family, parental rights, the sanctity of human life, religious freedom, and back-to- basics education.