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N.D. (AP) — A federal judge says the state of North Dakota can’t enforce its law that bans Election Day campaigning.

In a decision Wednesday, Judge Daniel Hovland says the ban violates the free-speech rights of candidates and North Dakotans in general.

His order grants a request for a preliminary injunction. It bars the state and local prosecutors from going after anyone who violates the ban.

Former North Dakota Republican state chairman Gary Emineth sued earlier this month to challenge the law.

The law is more than a century old. It says no one can do any campaigning on Election Day. Because of the law, candidates don’t run Election Day ads, and they take down their yard signs the night before the vote.

Violations of the law carry a $500 fine.