Frankfort, KY – Today Matt Bevin issued an executive order that removes the names of all County Clerks from marriage licenses and protects the religious rights and freedoms of Kim Davis and all other clerks in Kentucky. This action is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Gov. Bevin and is directly what our client Kim Davis has been requesting for months. This promise will enable her and other clerks to do their jobs without compromising religious values and beliefs. The Governor's statement reads in part:

"To ensure that the sincerely held religious beliefs of all Kentuckians are honored, Executive Order 2015-048 directs the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives to issue a revised marriage license form to the offices of all Kentucky County Clerks. The name of the County Clerk is no longer required to appear on the form."

"This is a wonderful Christmas gift for Kim Davis," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "This executive order is a clear, simple accommodation on behalf of Kim Davis and all Kentucky clerks. Kim can celebrate Christmas with her family knowing she does not have to choose between her public office and her deeply-held religious convictions. What former Gov. Beshear could have done but refused to do, Gov. Bevin did with this executive order. We are pleased that Gov. Bevin kept his campaign promise to accommodate the religious rights of Kim Davis. We will notify the courts of the executive order and this order proves our point that a reasonable accommodation should have been done to avoid Kim having to spend time in jail," concluded Staver.

There is no question the case of Kim Davis and the issue of religious freedom played a role in the Governor’s lopsided win. Kentuckians favor traditional values, and they are tired of the political elites represented by the previous Democratic leadership. They join with others across our nation who believe America should be a place where all people can live out their faith without fear of being put in prison.

Governor Matt Bevin posted on his twitter account, "To ensure that the sincerely held religious beliefs of all Kentuckians are honored I took action to revise the Clerk marriage license form." He continued, "Through today's Executive Order the name of the County Clerk is no longer required to appear on the revised marriage license form."

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

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