MCALLEN – A federal judge struck down a policy by Starr County over the use of public property.

The policy banned electioneering from public property.

The judge concluded the rules restricting electioneering on county-owned properties violated the U.S. Constitution.

Civil rights groups filed a lawsuit against the county in Feb. 2018.

They said the policy limited free speech in places, such as the county courthouse sidewalk and parks.

The ruling will lift the ban on campaigning on county-owned or operated land.

It would also get rid of the minimum age requirement to use county property and criminal penalties for violating it.