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In this election cycle, who calls the signs?
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Election season can often be emotionally damaging to candidates and residents alike, and confusion abounds when it comes to election laws and protocol. Signs, a seemingly harmless way to self-advertise, are sometimes defaced and stolen, but what is the protocol for election signs, and where does it come from?
Rules for election signs are made by specific municipalities. Often, these rules fall within other zoning restrictions or under general sign laws, but the laws are specific to each town.
In Greenport, town clerk Kathleen Bucholsky laid out the rule: “They can’t go up before 35 days before the election, and they have to be taken down within six days after the election,” she said, and added there hasn’t been an incident where anyone was reprimanded for not following the rules.
In Canaan, election signs fall under zoning law; there is a section regarding signs and exempt signs. Election laws are considered temporary signs, and “all temporary signs may not be erected more than 45 days before and must be removed within seven days after the event,” deputy town clerk Julie Alexander said.
In addition, “we follow anything the board of elections regulates about signs,” Alexander said.
The town of Stockport has no specific rules regarding election signs, representatives from Stockport town hall said.
In Ghent, election signs also fall under zoning laws regarding temporary signs. “In any case, all political signs must be removed within 10 days following the election. We consider them to be temporary signs,” said Ghent zoning enforcement officer Gilber Raab.
In Ghent, “temporary sign” means “a sign that is displayed for a limited period of time, relating to a special event or activity,” Raab said.
Signs also can’t be lighted or greater than eight square feet. “I have had several political signs removed that were greater than eight square feet in area,” said Raab.
Election signs in Ghent can’t be displayed more than three months, and can be placed up to three months before the election.
Everywhere in the county, theft of election signs is a crime.
Signs also can’t be placed less than 100 feet from a poll site. “There’s no electioneering allowed at a poll site, or within 100 feet of the entrance to a poll site,” said Democrat Commissioner of Elections Virginia Martin.
“Electioneering also includes what might seem like innocuous things, like wearing a campaign button, or carrying a flyer for a candidate in view. It could be wearing a T-shirt for a political party or political candidate...all those things are considered electioneering,” Martin said.
Section 5-204 of New York state election law also says that “no political banner, poster or placard shall be allowed in or upon the place of registration during any day of registration.”
Martin said that individuals can be prosecuted for electioneering and that this might even result in a misdemeanor.
Residents are also expected not to loiter at poll sites. “There should be nobody that hangs around a poll site or within 100 feet from the entrance to a poll site,” said Martin. “That space is strictly for going to vote, and leaving from voting. Other than that, there should be no congregation of people.”
***
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
Rules for election signs are made by specific municipalities. Often, these rules fall within other zoning restrictions or under general sign laws, but the laws are specific to each town.
In Greenport, town clerk Kathleen Bucholsky laid out the rule: “They can’t go up before 35 days before the election, and they have to be taken down within six days after the election,” she said, and added there hasn’t been an incident where anyone was reprimanded for not following the rules.
In Canaan, election signs fall under zoning law; there is a section regarding signs and exempt signs. Election laws are considered temporary signs, and “all temporary signs may not be erected more than 45 days before and must be removed within seven days after the event,” deputy town clerk Julie Alexander said.
In addition, “we follow anything the board of elections regulates about signs,” Alexander said.
The town of Stockport has no specific rules regarding election signs, representatives from Stockport town hall said.
In Ghent, election signs also fall under zoning laws regarding temporary signs. “In any case, all political signs must be removed within 10 days following the election. We consider them to be temporary signs,” said Ghent zoning enforcement officer Gilber Raab.
In Ghent, “temporary sign” means “a sign that is displayed for a limited period of time, relating to a special event or activity,” Raab said.
Signs also can’t be lighted or greater than eight square feet. “I have had several political signs removed that were greater than eight square feet in area,” said Raab.
Election signs in Ghent can’t be displayed more than three months, and can be placed up to three months before the election.
Everywhere in the county, theft of election signs is a crime.
Signs also can’t be placed less than 100 feet from a poll site. “There’s no electioneering allowed at a poll site, or within 100 feet of the entrance to a poll site,” said Democrat Commissioner of Elections Virginia Martin.
“Electioneering also includes what might seem like innocuous things, like wearing a campaign button, or carrying a flyer for a candidate in view. It could be wearing a T-shirt for a political party or political candidate...all those things are considered electioneering,” Martin said.
Section 5-204 of New York state election law also says that “no political banner, poster or placard shall be allowed in or upon the place of registration during any day of registration.”
Martin said that individuals can be prosecuted for electioneering and that this might even result in a misdemeanor.
Residents are also expected not to loiter at poll sites. “There should be nobody that hangs around a poll site or within 100 feet from the entrance to a poll site,” said Martin. “That space is strictly for going to vote, and leaving from voting. Other than that, there should be no congregation of people.”
***
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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