Some deputy court clerks in Maryland have opted out of performing marriages rather than serve gay couples as the state's marriage equality law comes into effect on Tuesday.

The law was approved by lawmakers and upheld by 52 percent of voters on November 6.

According to The Washington Examiner, some clerks in the St. Mary's County Circuit Court will pass on their marriage duties to other employees.

“There are some [deputy clerks] that have voiced some opposition to doing it – [they have] religious feelings about it … so it's basically my idea that they won't do any marriage[s] at all,” said Joan Williams, clerk of the St. Mary's County Circuit Court. “Some people are just very against same-sex marriages, and I have to respect their reasons and their decisions.”

Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland, which lobbied for passage of the measure, said changing which deputy clerks perform marriages is acceptable.

(Related: Trolley company ends wedding business rather than serve gay couples.)