With a picture of Wisconsin in the background, “Democrats Support Free Speech” is printed on yard signs popping up in Superior, assumedly manufactured and distributed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
When considering modern free-speech Supreme Court jurisprudence, however, this claim may quickly render its reader confused.
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For example, in 2010, the Supreme Court ruled a law unconstitutional that prevented groups of individuals from publishing political pamphlets and books, releasing political documentaries, or purchasing political ads within 60 days of an election. The court, therefore, correctly ruled that the First Amendment’s freedom of speech clause cannot be temporarily ignored due to the proximity of an election (Citizens United v. FEC). Democrats strongly disagreed.
More recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot force citizens to use their artistic abilities and talents to support political or social messages that violate their individual religious or political beliefs (Masterpiece Cakeshop v. CO, 303 Creative v. Elenis). Democrats again disagreed.
The Supreme Court has also recently ruled the government cannot restrict the speech used in m...