Several State Magistrates Choose Not To Perform Marriages

14 magistrates across North Carolina have opted out of performing marriages over religious objections. This come one month since the legislature passed a law responding to legalized same-sex marriages in the state.

A court spokeswoman said late Tuesday that the state had received notices from the magistrates citing a "sincerely held religious objection”. They're now prohibited from performing civil marriages — for both straight and gay couples — for at least six months. There are more than 670 magistrates statewide.

The court system considers the magistrates' names and their notices part of their personnel files and therefore confidential.

The law took effect June 11 after the legislature overrode Gov. Pat McCrory's veto. Some county registers of deeds workers also can recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses.