County in New Mexico has issued nearly 900 marriage licenses in 1 year

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A southern New Mexico county clerk says he has issued nearly 900 marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the past year.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins said July 25 his office has given out 896 licenses since August 2013.

Ellins says he gave out the most licenses within two months after announcing they would be made available.

A group of state legislators filing a lawsuit against Ellins last year, challenging the issue of licenses.

The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in December that barring same-sex couples from getting marriage licenses was unconstitutional.

Same-sex marriage is legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Bans that have been overturned in some other states continue to make their way through the courts.

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