Alaska accepting same-sex marriage applications

JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Alaska began accepting applications for same-sex marriages Monday, one day after the state's ban was struck down by a federal judge.

Phillip Mitchell, section chief for Alaska's bureau of vital statistics, said marriage license applications from same-sex couples would be accepted Monday and the couples would be able to wed starting Thursday due to the three-day waiting period between applying and obtaining licenses in the state.

The state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, approved by voters in 1998, was struck down Sunday by U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess. The judge said the ban violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection.

Gov. Sean Parnell has pledged to appeal the ruling.