An NIU Huskies specialty license plate is one thing, but a plate proclaiming a political message – such as the anti-abortion message “Choose Life,” a plate option in Tennessee – takes license plates to another level. If motorists are going to be allowed to have vanity plates expressing their views, the opposing view must also be offered for balance.

U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell recently ruled that a Tennessee license plate bearing the words “Choose Life” was unconstitutional because it presents only one side of the abortion issue. He dubbed the plates an example of “viewpoint discrimination” and said the ruling would have been the same if the message had been pro-choice.

If plates are going to take a stand in favor of one side of a controversial issue, it’s only fair that the other side also have plates to express its view.

It’s true that most specialty plates are harmless – NIU plates or plates that benefit the Humane Society aren’t likely to raise an eyebrow from most motorists. But when license plates get political, the debate gets more heated.

Offering plates on either side of the issue allows for freedom of expression while providing necessary balance.

Even political plates, however, should be devoid of intentionally inflammatory symbols or artwork. Words are one thing, but the image of a baby on an anti-abortion plate, for example, is just going too far – plates such as these would be upsetting people all over the place.

License plates should be used primarily as a means of identifying a car – not as a political platform. Abortion activists and anti-abortion activists alike should have the freedom to express their views, but a license plate is not the best way to get the message across – especially if only one side has a specialty plate available.

Campbell’s ruling, while specific only to the “Choose Life” case, should be upheld in all cases of political messages on license plates. The solution to the unconstitutionality of “viewpoint discrimination” is to offer plates that support both sides of political issues – and this is what activists should be focused on creating.