Supreme Court Hears Door-to-Door Solicitor Ordinance Case

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Last week, the United States Supreme Court heard the case of Jehovah's Witnesses against the town of Stratton, Ohio. At issue for the high court was whether cities can require people who want to go door-to-door to discuss religious, political or social issues to first register with local officials.

The village of Stratton, an Ohio River town with 300 people and one police officer, said it wanted to protect its residents -- many of whom are senior citizens -- against "scams and frauds" by "canvassers, solicitors, peddlers and hawkers." Its ordinance requires solicitors to register at the mayor's office and disclose their name and purpose. No fee is required, and permits are granted in all cases, the town's lawyers say. The Stratton village ordinance requires people who want to visit homes to …