On March 3, a U.S. District Court in Rhode Island approved settlement of the lawsuit Matson v Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, 10-435-ML. The lawsuit had been filed last October by John O. Matson, an independent candidate for U.S. House in Rhode Island’s 2nd district. He challenged a city ordinance that banned political signs in residential areas that are larger than six square feet. He also challenged the provision that no sign may ever be posted on a tree, even if the sign was posted by the person who owns the tree. And he challenged the provision that permitted political signs only within 60 days of an election. The ACLU represented him. Here is the consent decree.

He prevailed on all three points. Matson had been one of three candidates in the race for U.S. House, 2nd district, last year. He polled 8.4%. The Democratic incumbent, James Langevin, had been re-elected with 59.9%, and the Republican nominee, Mark Zaccaria, had polled 31.8%.