The stay requested by the State of Alaska in the case of the same-sex marriage ban in the state, filed Thursday, was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday. The announcement by the Supreme Court cam just a minute after the temporary stay requested by the state and granted by the 9th Court of Appeals, expired.

The stay filed for by the state was to allow the state time to petition the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for an “en banc” review. That review would have a panel of 11 judges considering the case rather than the standard three-panel of judges.

Such a high level of review by the 9th Circuit is unusual and highly unlikely to occur.

But, with Friday being, Alaska Day, a state holiday, any issuance of marriage licences, same-sex  or otherwise are delayed until business hours on Monday.

It was on Sunday that U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Burgess struck down the same-sex marriage ban that was voted on and added to the state’s constitution in 1998.

  Alaska, appeal, ban, constitution, same sex marriage, state, stay, supreme court