Cite as: 536 U. S. 150 (2002)
Opinion of the Court
filed such forms. Each of the forms in the record contains a list of 19 suggested exceptions; 6 on one form, a resident checked 17 exceptions, thereby excluding only "Jehovah's Witnesses" and "Political Candidates" from the list of invited canvassers. Although Jehovah's Witnesses do not consider themselves to be "solicitors" because they make no charge for their literature or their teaching, leaders of the church testified at trial that they would honor "no solicitation" signs in the Village. They also explained at trial that they did not apply for a permit because they derive their authority to
which is reasonably visible to persons who intend to enter upon such property.
"(b) The registration authorized by Subsection (a) hereof shall be made by filing a 'No Solicitation Registration Form', at the office of the Mayor, on a form furnished for such purpose. The form shall be completed by the property owner or occupant and it shall then contain the following information: . . . ." Id., at 6a.
6 The suggested exceptions listed on the form are:
1. Scouting Organizations
2. Camp Fire Girls
3. Children's Sports Organizations
4. Children's Solicitation for Supporting School Activities
5. Volunteer Fire Dept.
6. Jehovah's Witnesses
7. Political Candidates
8. Beauty Products Sales People
9. Watkins Sales
10. Christmas Carolers
11. Parcel Delivery
12. Little League
13. Trick or Treaters during Halloween Season
14. Police
15. Campaigners
16. Newspaper Carriers
17. Persons Affiliated with Stratton Church
18. Food Salesmen
19. Salespersons. App. 229a.
Apparently the ordinance would prohibit each of these 19 categories from canvassing unless expressly exempted.
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