A federal appeals court says Arkansas' hope to restore a gay marriage ban could be at risk because state lawyers haven't paid a $505 docketing fee due last Wednesday.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Monday that Arkansas has two weeks to demonstrate why its appeal shouldn't be dropped.
The appeals court notified the state Jan. 7 that the money was due in two weeks. Arkansas changed attorneys general this month; the office of new Attorney General Leslie Rutledge blamed a clerical error and said the fee will be paid.
U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker tossed a voter-approved same-sex marriage ban and a similar state law in November. She put her decision on hold pending the appeal. Another case is pending in the state Supreme Court.
