Supreme Court Declines Action on Same-Sex Marriage Cases

The Supreme Court declined to take action Thursday on requests to decide whether there is a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry. 

Although the Court accepted eleven new cases, it gave no indication about petitions from Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Wisconsin, where federal appeals courts have struck down state bans on same-sex marriages.   However, there is plenty of time for the Court to act on the question and rule on the issue during the new term that beings on Monday and will end next June. 

Experts who study the Court say they expect it could be some time before the justices decide whether to hear the issue, although most think it would be impossible for the court to pass up.  If the court does take up the question, it must then decide which of the cases provides the best vehicle for a decision. 

See Robert Barnes, Supreme Court Takes No Action on Same-Sex Marriage Cases, For Now, The Washington Post, Oct. 2, 2014.