This is what we now know about the 2024 election polls
In the 2016 presidential election, pollsters predicted a Hillary Clinton victory. Here’s what we now know about the 2024 election polls.
Are you tired of the candidate names your neighbor has posted on his lawn?
Are you wondering if that one political banner is bigger than allowed? Or is it too early for someone to put up campaign signs in your neighborhood?
The rules for election signs in yards or on buildings vary from city to city and village to village in Ohio.
In some cities, the timing for putting up and taking down signs is very precise, while in other cities there are no regulations at all regarding such advertising.
State campaign laws require disclosure of advertising funding and prohibit the use of false claims, but the placement, duration and size of political posters are regulated individually by each county.
Differences in sign laws in Crawford County
In Crawford County, the contrast in campaign sign laws across the Buckeye State is clear to see.
The county seat, Bucyrus, is located in the west and has 11,500 residents.
According to Mike Keefe, the city’s land use planning official, residents are free to put up campaign signs long before and after an election.
“The City of Bucyrus has no duration or time limit for how quickly a sign can be put up or how long after it has to be removed,” Keefe said.
However, city ordinance regulates temporary signs in Bucyrus. They must be less than 20 square feet, must be secured against displacement, and cannot be placed on public property or attached to a public utility pole or street tree.
While it doesn’t directly address campaign signs, Bucyrus city ordinance states, “Under no circumstances shall a temporary sign advertising or promoting a specific event remain in place for more than seven days after the date or event marked on the sign.”
On the east side of Crawford County lies Galion with 10,400 residents. Similar in size, but with completely different rules.
According to Matt Echelberry, the city’s communications director, residents there must abide by a city ordinance that restricts the display of candidate signs and is enforced by the building inspector.
This law states: “Signs or posters concerning candidates for elective office, public affairs, and similar matters decided in a public election shall be posted not later than 45 days before the first day on which votes may be cast for the election and shall be removed not later than three days after the election. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, shall not be illuminated, and shall not be placed in a public right-of-way or attached to a public utility pole or street tree. In addition, such signs shall not be placed in such a way as to create a hazard to safety or visibility.”
Violations of campaign posters in Marion face a fine of $150
In Marion, the only city in Marion County, sign regulations are enforced by the building department with assistance from the regional planning commission, said Mark Russell, the city’s legal director.
“In summary, political signs are considered temporary, non-accessory signs that can be of any size and must be removed 14 days after use,” Russell said.
Sign violations in Marion are considered a minor misdemeanor and are punishable by a maximum fine of $150 per violation.
Hardly any restrictions on campaign posters for residents of Richland County
Shelby is located in the northwest corner of Richland County.
According to Joe Gies, the city’s project coordinator, there is no specific ordinance regarding campaign signs.
“We would treat them more like a temporary sign,” Gies said. “They should not be out more than 30 days before the election and must be removed five days after the election.”
There are no size restrictions on temporary signs in Shelby. However, they must not obstruct the view of traffic and may not be placed on public streets in the city.
“Offenders can be charged with a minor offense,” Gies said. “We would talk to the property owners to get compliance before filing charges. There really hasn’t been a major problem.”
In the center of Richland County lie the cities of Ontario and Mansfield, the county seat.
Mansfield city code states that temporary signs may not be placed “on sidewalks, curbs, safety strips, streets, alleys, or other public property.” Signs must never “obscure traffic or create a safety hazard.”
The city does not limit the messages printed on campaign signs or the length of time they are displayed, which Mayor Jodie Perry said makes sense in light of the First Amendment.
“In general, I would say that free speech really limits any enforcement of these regulations,” Perry said. “But we ask the campaign for cooperation to keep them in the right-of-way areas, and we usually get pretty good cooperation.”
In Ontario, many temporary signs are restricted by municipal bylaws. However, campaign signs are not restricted because of the municipal exception: “Signs expressing political, religious or philosophical views and located on private property.”
Political signs allowed in Ashland 90 days before election
According to Shannon Johnson, deputy director of the Ashland County Board of Elections, the only places where city laws do not apply are those near polling places.
“The election commissions are responsible for monitoring the polling place and the 100-foot area around the entrance,” Johnson said. “We train our staff to ask campaigners to stay outside that perimeter. If they don’t comply, we call the police.”
Outside of this restricted area, Ashland’s city ordinance allows: “Political signs not exceeding 6 square feet in area, provided that such signs shall be posted no earlier than 90 days before Election Day and shall be removed within two weeks after Election Day.”
Cities like Rittman are planning to update political sign laws
Some cities, such as Rittman in northeast Wayne County, still have outdated laws regarding the use of political signs, which will most likely be updated by the next election cycle, according to Matthew Simpson, the city’s legal director.
“We are in the process of completely rewriting our sign ordinance to bring it up to date,” Simpson said. “Generally, the only provisions of the sign ordinance that are currently enforced are size requirements, as parts of the ordinance are not amenable to enforcement as they stand.”
None of the size requirements apply specifically to campaign posters, so there are few restrictions on political posters in Rittman this year.
Temporary signs in Wooster are subject to several standards set forth in the city’s codified ordinances.
“Unless otherwise provided, a temporary sign permit is required for temporary signs exceeding 12 square feet,” the city ordinance states.
Signs must be protected from wind, must not be illuminated in any way and must not extend beyond the roof line of a building.
In Orrville, the city ordinance only addresses signs that could obstruct traffic: “No person shall erect or hang any advertising or political signs, banners or other devices across any street or other public place of the City, except as permitted by the building code or zoning ordinance.”
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