Reference no: EM131656887

Question: A Stratton, Ohio, ordinance prohibited "canvassers" from "going in and upon" private residential property to promote a "cause" without first obtaining a permit from the office of the mayor. The ordinance sought to prevent fraud and crime and to protect residents' privacy. Permits were free of charge, and were routinely issued after an applicant had filled out a "Solicitor's Registration Form." After receiving a permit, a solicitor was authorized to go upon the premises she had listed on the registration form. At a resident's or a policeman's request, the solicitor was required to display the permit. If a resident had filled out a "No Solicitation Registration Form" from the mayor's office and posted a "no solicitation" sign onhis property, not even solicitors with permits were allowed to enter the premises unless the resident had listed them as exceptions on the "No Solicitation Registration Form." The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, a society and congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses that distributed and published religious materials, did not apply for a permit. Watchtower claimed that God orders Jehovah's Witnesses to preach the gospel, and that applying for a permit would insult God by subordinating the scripture to local code. Watchtower therefore brought an action in federal court seeking to have the village of Stratton enjoined from enforcing the solicitation ordinance. Watchtower contended that the ordinance violated First Amendment rights to free speech, free press, and the free exercise of religion. Was Watchtower's allegation correct?