First Amendment Prevails In Norfolk Sign Ordinance

In a victory for the First Amendment, the Norfolk Board of Selectmen voted earlier this month to amend an ordinance that restricted citizens from placing political signs in their yard for more than 30 days. After receiving a letter from the ACLU of Connecticut informing them that the ordinance was unconstitutional, the town responded stating the regulation was out-of-date and would not be enforced. On October 16th the Board of Selectmen removed all doubt voting unanimously to amend the ordinance to state, “Nothing herein shall prohibit the erection and display of political signs.”

“The ability to express one’s political viewpoint is an indispensable condition of a free democratic society,” said Andrew Schneider, Executive Director of the ACLU of Connecticut, “With the updating of this ordinance, the residents of Norfolk can now enjoy a more open and lively exchange of ideas.”

The ACLU of Connecticut staff attorney David McGuire testified at the public hearing before the council voted. According to David McGuire, “The ACLU is happy to have the old language off the books. As they head to the polls, Norfolk residents will know that they can display political signs on any topic at any time during the year.”