Georgia to Appeal Ruling Overturning State Law Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman

Georgia to Appeal Ruling Overturning State Law Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman

Special Session to be Called if Georgia Supreme Court Fails to Overturn Decision

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the state of Georgia will appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court the ruling by Judge Constance Russell of the Fulton County Superior Court overturning Georgia’s law defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

“I’ve spoken with the Attorney General and he has assured me that he will move forward with an immediate appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We will ask for an expedited review and I have confidence that the Supreme Court will handle this in a timely fashion.”

If the Georgia Supreme Court fails to overturn the decision of the lower court or fails to act by August 7, 2006, Governor Perdue will call for a special session of the General Assembly to convene on August 9, 2006. This will allow the state to meet the Secretary of State’s deadline of August 14, 2006, for the general election ballot language certification.

“I think the people of Georgia spoke overwhelmingly. They knew exactly what they were voting for and their voices deserve to be heard,” said Governor Perdue.

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