"N.J. woman sues over vanity plate" Associated Press April 19, 2014
NEWARK, N.J. — A woman who says she was denied a license plate referencing atheism filed suit this week, claiming her online application was rejected because it was deemed potentially offensive.
Shannon Morgan, of Maurice Township, said in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that the Motor Vehicle Commission violated her First Amendment rights when its website rejected a plate reading “8THEIST.” She said she received a message stating that her request was ineligible as it ‘‘may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency.’’
Morgan then filled out the online application using the phrase ‘‘BAPTIST’’ as a test, which the website accepted.
Messages and e-mails left for the Motor Vehicle Commission Friday were not returned. A recorded message said the offices were closed in observance of Good Friday.
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