LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The state's top lawyer and top election official say the Arkansas Supreme Court's decision striking down a voter ID law means the requirement to show photo identification before casting ballots won't be in effect for the November election.

A spokesman for Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Thursday that the court's decision is "clear" that the law doesn't apply to the upcoming election. Early voting for the Nov. 4 election begins Monday.

Secretary of State Mark Martin's office said the ruling means the law reverts back to what it was before voter ID took effect this year, and voters won't be required to show photo identification at the polls.

The court unanimously struck down the law on Wednesday, saying it violated the constitution by adding a qualification for voting.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A group of gay couples is asking Arkansas' highest court to uphold a judge's ruling striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court is indicating that such bans are unconstitutional by not taking up similar cases.

The couples on Tuesday asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to uphold Pulaski County Judge Chris Piazza's ruling striking down a 2004 constitutional amendment and earlier state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The couples cited the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject appeals from five states that sought to prohibit same-sex marriage. They also requested oral arguments before the court.

Piazza's ruling led to 541 gay couples receiving marriage licenses before the decision was suspended by the state Supreme Court.