YELL COUNTY (KFSM)- The county clerk in Yell County announced Wednesday (July 1) that the office will now issue same-sex marriage licenses following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday that made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.
Sharon Barnett, the Circuit and County Clerk for Yell County released the following statement:
“It is with great reluctance to inform you that the Yell County Clerk’s Office will now be issuing same-sex marriage licenses. I have a strong conscientious objection to the same-sex marriage law. I have consulted attorneys and have been advised to not pursue my resistance to this law. I realize that I have an obligation to uphold the law if I am to remain in this position. I have come to the realization that my resignation would not change the fate for Yell County. This law which was not the vote of the people would still be enforced. In the future, there will be no clerk or deputy clerk’s signature or endorsement on the marriage license.”
