(COLUMBUS) - A federal lawsuit is challenging how Ohio reviews and approves personalized license plates, with three drivers arguing the state's process is inconsistent and violates free speech protections.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and focuses on how the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles decides which vanity license plate requests are approved or denied.
According to the complaint, the BMV rejects hundreds of personalized plate requests each year based on guidelines that prohibit offensive, vulgar or violent messages.
The plaintiffs argue those standards are applied inconsistently and have resulted in similar plate requests receiving different outcomes.
One plaintiff, William Saki, is included in the lawsuit after previously challenging the state's denial of a vanity plate reading "GAY." Saki ultimately prevailed in a separate legal dispute involving that request.
The lawsuit also cites a denied request for the plate "MF TNDRA," which the applicant said stood for "My Family Tundra," and another denied request for "MAFIA." The complaint argues similar combinations have been approved by the state.
Attorney Brian Bardwell, who represents the plaintiffs, contends the state's review process lacks clear standards and gives officials too much discretion in deciding which messages are acceptable.
The lawsuit argues Ohio's vanity plate rules are unconstitutionally vague and overly broad, allowing for arbitrary enforcement.
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has declined to comment on the case while litigation is pending.
The lawsuit asks the court to require clearer standards and a more consistent review process for personalized license plate applications.