On October 14, U.S. District Court Judge William O. Bertelsman, a Carter appointee, struck down Kentucky’s law that forbids any election signs or electioneering within 300 feet of the entrance to a polling place. Russell v Grimes, eastern district, 14cv-112. Here is the eleven page decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that such zones are constitutional if they are 100 feet or less from the entrance to a polling place. Kentucky formerly had a 500 foot zone, but that was declared unconstitutional in 2004, so the legislature had amended it to 300 feet. But the opinion says that is still too restrictive. The Opinion says, “It can cover areas, including private yards, not even visible from the polling place. It prohibits activities in private homes.” Thanks to Justin Levitt for the link.