N. Carolina's religious-exemption gay marriage bill now law

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A measure allowing some court officials to refuse to perform gay marriage responsibilities because of their religious beliefs became law today in North Carolina, with the state House voting to override the governor's veto of the bill.

The Senate had voted to do the same with Republican Gov. Pat McCrory's veto a week ago. Today's House vote of 69-41 was just over the three-fifths majority needed. Ten House members were absent and didn't vote.

The law, taking effect immediately, means some register of deeds workers who assemble licenses and magistrates to solemnize civil marriages can decide to stop performing all marriages if they hold a "sincerely held religious objection."

The law "protects sincerely held religious beliefs while also ensuring that magistrates are available in all jurisdictions to perform lawful marriages," House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said in a statement.

Gay-rights groups and Democrats who opposed the bill said after the vote that litigation challenging the law was likely to come soon. Republicans supporting the measure said federal laws provided religious accommodations to government officials, in keeping with the U.S. and state constitutions.