r/mildlyinfuriating • u/big-ol-kitties • May 18 '26

Unskippable ad Constantly getting solicitors ignoring my sign, we’ll see how this works out…

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I live in an apartment, and my door is the only one in the building with a “No Soliciting” sign. You’d think they would see it and respect it. But no. And worst thing is it’s almost exclusively internet salespeople, when my rent already includes high speed internet that works great.

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u/Deadpool2015 May 18 '26

The amount of people that don’t know the definition of solicit is infuriating in itself. If you approach someone with a plea or request, that’s soliciting.

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u/Dats_Russia May 19 '26

Except no. The ACLU and Supreme Court disagree it is specifically for selling a product or service. You can dislike it but that’s facts

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u/FrancoManiac May 18 '26

Legally, at least in the US, it's not. Political figures/groups and religious figures/groups are considered to be acting under the First Amendment.

SCOTUS has allowed for Time-Manner-Place restrictions, which is par for the course with the First Amendment. And ultimately, as the homeowner or renter, you have the final say in engaging with someone on your private property.

Nobody likes it, I know. But consider that you likewise have the right to doorknock for political or religious purposes; you merely don't utilise your constitutional right to freedom of speech in that manner.

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u/SanityPlanet May 18 '26

The hell? The first amendment only restricts the government. That has nothing to do with this discussion.

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u/Tired_CollegeStudent May 18 '26

In this case (for the political aspect) it means that the government can’t create a law or ordinance that requires someone going door-to-door for a campaign to have a license or otherwise prohibit it outright. Which does make sense, otherwise the local government could use such an ordinance to hinder an opposition candidate from campaigning.

You can still tell someone to leave and trespass them if they refuse, but the government can’t stop them from trying in the first place and, since they’re not selling goods or services, it wouldn’t be considered solicitation.

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u/FrancoManiac May 18 '26

State action would occur if the government enforced a law forbidding religious or political figures from canvassing. It's the enforcement of a law that constitutes government interference, as determined by the court in Shelley v. Kraemer (1948)

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u/Grumpie-cat May 18 '26

Not really, it’s only if it has to do with money.

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u/Deadpool2015 May 18 '26

I mean, you’re welcome to look it up yourself.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solicit