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05.06.08
ACLU Warns Officials on Political Sign Laws
Ordinances in Silver Lake and Bath Township Restrict Free Speech in Pivotal Election Year
AKRON- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sent letters to
officials in Silver Lake and Bath Township warning them that ordinances
restricting the use of political campaign signs violate residents’ free
speech rights. Ordinances in both towns require residents to pay a fee
to erect a political sign.
ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link said, “The very concept
that a person should have to pay for free speech inherently opposes the
most important ideals of the Constitution.”
"Placing restrictions on how or when a person can express themselves
invariably causes them to be less likely to speak out for fear of
consequences. In order to have healthy public debate, communities must
drop limitations on political speech," added Link.
The Silver Lake ordinance also restricts the size of the signs and the
number that may be displayed on a certain amount of land. In addition to
charging a fee, the Bath Township ordinance restricts residents from
displaying signs more than thirty days before an election.
Federal and state courts have routinely held that municipalities may not
impose a fee for displaying political signs and may not restrict the
size, number and timeframe that the signs are erected.
Link concluded, “Especially in a busy election year, Ohioans should have
unencumbered rights to express their choices for political office.
Instead of seeking to silence those who take an active interest in civic
life, officials should be fostering political discourse.”
The nonprofit, nonpartisan ACLU of Ohio is based in Cleveland with
community and campus groups throughout the state. There are 30,000
ACLU members and supporters in Ohio and more than 500,000 nationwide.
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Read the letter to Bath Township
Read the letter to Silver Lake
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