A county court clerk in northern Virginia is seeking to delay a federal appeals court ruling striking down the state's same-sex marriage ban.
A panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled Monday that Virginia's gay marriage ban approved by voters in 2006 is unconstitutional.
In a filing Friday, Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Michele B. McQuigg asked the court to stay the decision while she appeals to the Supreme Court.
Without a stay, marriage licenses could be issued to Virginia's same-sex couples 21 days after the ruling.
Attorneys for McQuigg did not immediately return telephone messages left by The Associated Press.
The filing states the delay would ensure the ``orderly resolution'' of an important constitutional question.
