Town Settles ACLU Suit, Loosens Restrictions On Political Signs

The political landscape of North Kingstown may look very different in the next election cycle, literally. The town of North Kingstown has agreed consider political signs the same as other signs erected across town.

The town settled a in U.S. District Court by American Civil Liberties Union volunteer attorney Richard Sinapi on behalf of 2010 Independent Congressional candidate John O. Matson. Due to the size of the signs, the town asked Matson and about five other candidates to remove the signs or face a fine of up to $100 a day.

According to a press release from the ACLU, a “major component” of the lawsuit was that the old ordinance treated political signs “in a discriminatory manner” while allowing other types os signs in both residential and ocmmerical areas to be larger and stay up past the political season.

“Posting signs remains one of the simplest and most effective ways for people with limited resources to participate in the political process,” said Sinapi in a March 7 press release. “The favorable resolution of this suit is a reminder of the importance of political speech and the First Amendment in the electoral process.”

According to the old ordinance, political signs could not exceed six square feet in residential zones and 20 square feet in non-residential zones. In the consent judgment, the town agreed it will not subject political signs “to more stringent size or other limitations” than other signs.

Under the agreement approved by U.S. District Court Judge Mary Lisi, the town must pay $10,560 in attorney fees.

According to Town Manager Michael Embury, the town will recraft the ordinance and adopt it after the current budget season.