On March 18, an anonymous individual filed a federal lawsuit against a Missouri law that makes it a crime for anyone to circulate a handbill commenting on a candidate for public office, if the handbill doesn’t identify the person paying for the literature. John Doe v Weedman, w.d., 2:15cv-4054.
The plaintiff wants to circulate literature for the April 7 election for Ferguson city council. He wants to criticize one candidate, and advocate the election of an opposing candidate. “John Doe” wants to criticize a candidate who is currently a prosecutor and a judge, and “John Doe” is afraid that if his name is on the handbill, that might have bad consequences for himself. The case is filed in the western district because it contains the state capital and the lawsuit challenges a state law. The case is assigned to Judge Dean Whipple, a Reagan appointee. Thanks to the Center for Competitive Elections for this news. Here is the complaint.