FLORIDA: 1000 Licenses On First Day

Via the Associated Press:

Almost 1,000 gay and lesbian couples were issued marriage licenses in Florida’s 10 most-populous counties during the first two days a ban on same-sex marriage was lifted. A survey conducted Wednesday by The Associated Press shows the Florida clerks of court had issued 953 licenses to same-sex couple, as of Tuesday evening in the state’s largest counties. U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle’s ruling that Florida’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional took effect in all 67 counties early Tuesday. However, a Miami judge found no need to wait for the ban to expire and said marriage licenses could be issued to same-sex couples Monday afternoon. The 10 counties included in the AP survey make up almost 60 percent of Florida’s population. Broward County’s 184 licenses led the state. In Orange County, more than 160 licenses were issues to same-sex couples by Tuesday afternoon.

The AP doesn’t say how many couples married immediately but the three-day waiting period was waived at most locations. Licenses are valid for 60 days.