EXCLUSIVE: Congressional Write-In Candidate Sues Detroit, Says Permit Rule for Campaign Signs Violates First Amendment

A write-in candidate for Congress in Michigan's 13th District has sued the City of Detroit, saying its sign rules forced him to pull down about 40 small campaign signs or risk fines that could have topped $115,000, according to a federal complaint reviewed by The Digital Free Press.

John Goci, a Northville resident, filed the lawsuit on Thursday, Oct. 22, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 12 days before the Nov. 3 election. The case is Goci v. City of Detroit, No. 2:26-cv-14043, and is assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood.

"Political speech lies at the very heart of the First Amendment," the complaint begins.

According to the complaint, Goci put up roughly 40 yard signs in July in front of businesses along 8 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue, with the owners' permission. Each sign measured about 18 by 22 inches and read: "John Goci, Write-In Candidate for U.S Congress, Democratic Primary 13th District."

A few days later, the complaint says, the city emailed Goci that the signs violated Chapter 4 of the Detroit City Code. The email attached a city flyer titled "Campaign & Advertising Yard Signs," which states that campaign signs "are not allowed on commercial property without a permit" and are allowed "only during the period 30 days prior and seven days after the date of any federal, state, or local primary election." The flyer lists fines of $600 for a first offense, $1,200 for a second and $3,000 for each one after that.

Goci took the signs down "fearing repercussions and fines," the complaint says.

$300 Per Sign Just to Apply

The complaint says the city's guidance told Goci he would first need to hire a licensed sign erector, and that only an erector with access to the city's application portal can submit the paperwork. One erector quoted Goci $300 to prepare the application for a single sign, according to the filing. The complaint says the application has more than 40 fields and calls for a site plan for each location, and that the city also charges a permit fee whose amount neither the ordinance nor the guidance lists.

Lawsuit Asks Court to Block Detroit Sign Rules

The lawsuit argues that the permit process and the 30-day window violate the First Amendment. It asks the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions against the permit requirement, and a permanent injunction against the 30-day limit. Goci says he plans to run again and wants to post signs for himself and other candidates in future elections.

Goci is represented by the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the city has not yet filed a response.

The Digital Free Press found no news coverage of the lawsuit before publication.

The Digital Free Press reached out to the City of Detroit for comment on Oct. 23; no response was received by publication.

Yossi Schmidt, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Digital Free Press

Hold Everyone Accountable.

Sources: Complaint, Goci v. City of Detroit, No. 2:26-cv-14043 (E.D. Mich., filed Oct. 22, 2026): https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mied.399263/gov.uscourts.mied.399263.1.0.pdf Source: City of Detroit, Blight to Beauty Corridors page (campaign yard sign guidance cited in the complaint): https://detroitmi.gov/departments/general-services-department/blight-beauty-corridors