3rd Circuit Invalidates Registration Law For Door-To-Door Proselytization

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday struck down a Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania ordinance that required registration of door-to-door canvassers who planned to hand pamphlets or written material to residents, or to discuss with them issues of religious or public interest. The case is Service Employees Int’l. Union, Local 3 v. Municipality of Mt. Lebanon, (3rd Cir., April 28, 2006). While the suit was brought by a union that wanted to conduct a get-out-the-vote campaign, the decision is also important for religious groups that wish to proselytize door-to-door. The court held that "the challenged ordinance is not tailored to serve Mt. Lebanon’s legitimate interest in preventing crime and fraud. At the same time, that ordinance substantially burdens a broad range of speech which enjoys the highest level of First Amendment protection." The Associated Press yesterday reported on the decision