Brunswick County Responds to Requests for Improper Enforcement of Political Sign Rules

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Brunswick County said it is still investigating claims that its staff violated the First Amendment by improperly enforcing rules against a political sign endorsing Democratic candidates.

Brunswick County Democratic Party stated on October 7 in a press releasethat the sign was put up in June and was about 10 feet tall. The six-foot height limit was enforced on their sign with a “cease work” order and a $200 fine, but the party says similar signs from the Republican Party have been left alone.

On October 25, the county said its leadership had a meeting with the party to discuss the situation.

“The North Carolina building code requires a permit for signs six feet or taller, but since this sign was determined to be a political sign, it was decided that it would be considered a temporary sign and would not need a authorization, but will have to be removed after the elections”, says a county announcement.

This is consistent with what the party said earlier this month: that the county had the sign taken down, provided it was taken down within 30 days of the election.