(BOISE, Idaho) -- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of a District Court decision to rule the Idaho Constitution's definition of marriage unconstitutional on Thursday.
The appellate court issued a temporary stay while they consider a longer stay, which would in turn be pending appeal of the earlier ruling. The state filed for a stay to prevent county clerks from issuing marriage licenses before an appeal can be heard.
Gov. C.L. Otter praised the decision to issue a stay, saying that the move helps to "ensure Idaho will not have to endure the same kind of chaos and confusion that Utah faced after a similar lower-court decision." Otter expects to challenge the earlier ruling in appellate court and is "hopefully for a better outcome."
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