Culture

What Happens If Kim Davis Keeps Denying Marriage Licenses?

Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis is still refusing to issue marriage licenses. Here's what could happen if she continues to deny couples' licenses.

What Happens If Kim Davis Keeps Denying Marriage Licenses?
Getty Images, Rowan County
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Kentucky's Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis refuses to issue marriage licenses because of her objection to same-sex marriage. 

In a video captured by BBC News, Kim Davis said, "We are not issuing marriage licenses today."

"Based on what? Why are you not issuing marriage licenses today?" asked one protestor.

"Because I'm not," Davis responded.

She's still refusing even after the Supreme Court denied her request to be excused from issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

"Pending the appeal in the 6th circuit — the appeal stay has been denied," Davis said in a video captured by WLEX.

A protester replied, "The Supreme Court denied your stay."

Davis says issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples "would violate [her] conscience," citing her religious beliefs.

But what will happen to the county clerk if she continues to refuse?

Well, Davis is an elected official, so she can't just be fired. She could be impeached but only by the state legislature.

The Wall Street Journal says that probably won't happen: "Politically that’s an unlikely scenario in the conservative state."

Davis and her deputies have been ordered to appear before U.S. District Judge David Bunning. 

That means she could be held in contempt of court — which could lead to fines or jail time.

State law could be changed to take clerks' names off of marriage licenses. But it's also unlikely Kentucky's governor will hold a special session to change the law. (Video via WYMT)

Two couples denied by Davis say they don't want her to go to jail. They're asking for her to be fined.

Davis and her deputies are set to appear in court Thursday.

This video includes images from Getty Images and music from Chris Zabriskie / CC BY 4.0.