44 Counties in Alabama Still Refusing to Issue Marriage Licenses

by Ianthe Metzger •

44 counties in Alabama - encompassing 56% of Alabamians - still not issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples - and dozens are refusing to issue marriage licenses to anyone.

WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is demanding that all Alabama probate judges follow the law and issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after learning Wednesday that 44 counties are still refusing to grant licenses to same-sex couples. 

In addition, 28 counties containing 34% of Alabama's population - encompassing 1.6 million people - are not issuing any marriage licenses at all, including to heterosexual couples. 

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23 counties issuing to all couples:


Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chilton, Coffee, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Limestone, Lowndes, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Wilcox and Winston.
 


45% of population


18 counties 1ssuing to only straight couples:


Baldwin, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne. Covington, Dekalb, Escambia, Greene, Lee, Macon, Marengo, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Washington.
 


25%


26 counties not issuing licenses to any couples:


Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Cherokee, Choctaw, Clarke, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, Dale, Fayette, Franklin, Geneva, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lamar, Lauderdale, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Tallapoosa, Walker.
 


30%

Current as of Noon on 2/11/2015

Total:

100%

 

“Alabama's probate judges are tasked with following the law,” said Sarah Warbelow, HRC’s Legal Director.  “Unfortunately, some judges are willfully disobeying a federal court order, and harming loving, committed couples of all kinds in the process. It's time for order to be restored and for the law to be followed.”

Out of 67 total, 23 counties are issuing marriage licenses to all couples in Alabama, meaning that 45% of Alabama residents are living in counties with marriage equality. But 16 counties - encompassing more than 1 million people - are still only issuing marriage licenses to heterosexual couples.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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