Maine Officials Recall Nearly 300 Custom License Plates Deemed Inappropriate

Cracking Down on Inappropriate Plates

Maine authorities are taking a hardline stance on custom license plates they consider inappropriate, leading to the recall of nearly 300 plates. This initiative stems from the state’s recently tightened regulations, which prohibit language that is derogatory towards age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability, as well as language that incites violence or is deemed offensive.

A Love for Tofu and a License Plate

One license plate owner, Peter Starostecki, a vegan, found himself in the midst of this crackdown. His plate, which read “LUVTOFU,” was deemed potentially sexually suggestive and recalled. However, Starostecki argued that his accompanying tofu stickers made the message’s intent clear: it was his way of protesting the consumption of meat and animal products.

Express Yourself with Bumper Stickers

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows defended the state’s decision to recall such plates, asserting that drivers can still express themselves using bumper stickers. She emphasized the importance of keeping profanity and language that can incite violence off the roads for the public’s benefit.

From Loose Regulations to Stricter Oversight

Maine’s previous regulations regarding custom license plates were notably lax, allowing for nearly any combination of letters and numbers. This resulted in profane and offensive plates sharing the roads. In response to this, the legislature reinstated a review system for the state’s 120,000 custom plates.

Challenges and Legal Precedents

Maine officials now face the challenge of determining what messages are acceptable on these plates, similar to their counterparts in other US states. Notably, earlier this year, Texas declined a “LUVTOFU” plate, drawing criticism from animal rights organizations. In California, a federal judge ruled in 2020 that the state’s ban on plates considered “offensive to good taste and decency” was too broad and violated free speech rights.

Appeals and Outcomes

Maine officials have already received 13 appeals from drivers contesting their recalled plates, with the possibility of more to come. If a hearing examiner rejects an appeal, drivers have the option to escalate their case to Superior Court, although no one has pursued this route yet. In some cases, drivers have been offered alternative plates, like Mr. Starostecki receiving “V3GAN,” while others, like Heather Libby, received plates honoring different aspects of their lives.

In the end, the recall of custom license plates in Maine is a reflection of the delicate balance that authorities across the US are attempting to strike between individual freedom of expression and maintaining public decency on the roads.