Letter to Police Chiefs Prompted by Complaints from Individuals Engaged in Door-to-Door Voter Registration Drives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: acluva@acluva.org
Richmond, VA – The ACLU of
Virginia is mailing letters today to every police chief in Virginia - 185 in all
- asking each to immediately initiate programs to educate local law enforcement
personnel on the right of individuals to engage in door-to-door voter
registration drives.
The ACLU's letter also includes a warning that the ACLU is prepared to provide legal representation to any person whose right to solicit individuals to register to vote is violated.
The letters were prompted by recent complaints from persons going
door-to-door to register voters before the October 6 deadline. In each case the
individuals involved were told by police or other officials that the activity
violated a local ordinance or policy.
The letters are also a
result of the ACLU's long experience with suppression of political expression in
the weeks leading up to elections. In addition to assisting those engaged in
voter registration drives, the ACLU has acted to protect the right of homeowners
to post campaign signs and of campaign workers to distribute political
literature.
"The right to go door to door to register voters, to canvass for candidates, or to promote one's religious beliefs is deeply ingrained in the American landscape, both legally and culturally." said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis. "Thankfully, the Supreme Court has struck down every local ordinance that attempts to interfere with this basic First Amendment right."
"The ACLU acknowledges that individuals going door to door to register voters
do not have a right to enter private property where signs indicate they are not
allowed and that they must leave property at the behest of owners," added
Willis.
The ACLU's letter cites Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
v. Village of Stratton, a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that
political and religious canvassers could not be required to obtain a permit or
even give notice before going door to door with their message.
A copy of the ACLU's letter to Virginia's police chiefs is available at: www.acluva.org