BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Brunswick County said it is still investigating claims that its staff violated the First Amendment by unfairly enforcing rules against a political sign endorsing Democratic candidates.

The Brunswick County Democratic Party claimed on Oct. 7 in a press release, that the sign was put up in June and was around 10 feet tall. The six-foot height limit was enforced on their sign via a “stop work” order and a $200 fine, but the party says that similar signs from the Republican Party were left alone.

The county said on Oct. 25 its management had a meeting with the party to discuss the situation.

“The North Carolina Building Code does require a permit for signs six feet or higher, but since this sign was determined to be a political sign, it was decided that it would be considered a temporary sign and would not need a permit but would need to be removed after the election,” a county announcement states.

This is in line with what the party said earlier in the month: that the county had the sign taken down with the condition that it be taken down within 30 days after the election.

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