Lawn election and soliciting signs (sale, cost, law)

[thomas.milewski]

Sometimes i wonder what can be done to stop
The abundance of lawn signs or advertising signs all over our cities. I know bigger problems in the world but weeks after elections there are signs everywhere in peoples bushes ,Over sewers, and just winds carrying them
Down the streets. I understand marketing ,advertising, and education but there comes a point where there is no accountability or rules that govern this action that affects homeowners and people of a community. Many neighbors in town have pleased With the township for guidelines and or government direction but usually it’s left on deaf ears. Totally understand the want and need for small businesses and or elected officials
For using this method. However when does the degrading of the city (trash,debris, wasting of plastic and cardboard) over weigh the need for this old version of advertising with no accountability of cleanup and or restaking the products so they aren’t upside down or barely up from
The weather elements. Just wondering if anyone has had luck locally speaking on this matter

[ocnjgirl]

Originally Posted by thomas.milewski

Sometimes i wonder what can be done to stop
The abundance of lawn signs or advertising signs all over our cities. I know bigger problems in the world but weeks after elections there are signs everywhere in peoples bushes ,Over sewers, and just winds carrying them
Down the streets. I understand marketing ,advertising, and education but there comes a point where there is no accountability or rules that govern this action that affects homeowners and people of a community. Many neighbors in town have pleased With the township for guidelines and or government direction but usually it’s left on deaf ears. Totally understand the want and need for small businesses and or elected officials
For using this method. However when does the degrading of the city (trash,debris, wasting of plastic and cardboard) over weigh the need for this old version of advertising with no accountability of cleanup and or restaking the products so they aren’t upside down or barely up from
The weather elements. Just wondering if anyone has had luck locally speaking on this matter

I haven't tried to do anything about it, but I agree with you. My problem is no one comes back to take down the signs after the election.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by ocnjgirl

no one comes back to take down the signs after the election.

+1
I have a solution, but it is unlikely to ever become law simply because it would impact many of the same politicians whose signs become a visual blight long after election day.

My solution is for each town (or county) to enact an ordinance requiring the posting of a cash bond that would be forfeited by a candidate if his/her lawn signs were not removed w/in 2 weeks following election day. The same operatives who placed the signs next to roadways could be told by the candidate whom they support that the operative is also responsible for prompt removal of the signs that he/she installed in the first place.

The amount of the cash bond (perhaps $500 on a local level, or several thousand $$ on the county level) could induce candidates to follow-up with their supporters to ensure prompt removal of those signs. If the signs were not removed w/in the specified timeframe, the forfeited cash bond would pay for the gasoline and the manhours of labor necessary for local and/or county employees to remove the signs and dispose of them.

[ocnjgirl]

Originally Posted by Retriever

+1
I have a solution, but it is unlikely to ever become law simply because it would impact many of the same politicians whose signs become a visual blight long after election day.

My solution is for each town (or county) to enact an ordinance requiring the posting of a cash bond that would be forfeited by a candidate if his/her lawn signs were not removed w/in 2 weeks following election day. The same operatives who placed the signs next to roadways could be told by the candidate whom they support that the operative is also responsible for prompt removal of the signs that he/she installed in the first place.

The amount of the cash bond (perhaps $500 on a local level, or several thousand $$ on the county level) could induce candidates to follow-up with their supporters to ensure prompt removal of those signs. If the signs were not removed w/in the specified timeframe, the forfeited cash bond would pay for the gasoline and the manhours of labor necessary for local and/or county employees to remove the signs and dispose of them.

I like that plan! They can do the same with yard sale flyers that are still up
On telephone poles 2 months after the yards sale.

[canadian citizen]

Here in the city of Toronto there IS a specific bylaw that covers ALL election signs, be they municipal, Provincial or Federal . The fines and the various types of offences are outlined in the link that I will post here. The bylaw is strictly enforced by the City of Toronto By Law Enforcement officers who can and do write Provincial Offence Notices for those who are not in compliance with the bylaw. I will point out the VERY heavy fines that can be levied to election candidates and or their political party, for not removing signs within 4 days after election day. Fines range from $10,000 to $ 100,000 depending on the situation. Yes we really do enforce this in Toronto.

Link to the City of Toronto bylaw about election signs. https://www.toronto.ca/city-governme...lection-signs/

This bylaw has been on the books for at least 30 years. Other cities and towns in Ontario have similar by laws. Questions ? Ask me here.

[hawk55732]

Originally Posted by Retriever

+1
I have a solution, but it is unlikely to ever become law simply because it would impact many of the same politicians whose signs become a visual blight long after election day.

My solution is for each town (or county) to enact an ordinance requiring the posting of a cash bond that would be forfeited by a candidate if his/her lawn signs were not removed w/in 2 weeks following election day. The same operatives who placed the signs next to roadways could be told by the candidate whom they support that the operative is also responsible for prompt removal of the signs that he/she installed in the first place.

The amount of the cash bond (perhaps $500 on a local level, or several thousand $$ on the county level) could induce candidates to follow-up with their supporters to ensure prompt removal of those signs. If the signs were not removed w/in the specified timeframe, the forfeited cash bond would pay for the gasoline and the manhours of labor necessary for local and/or county employees to remove the signs and dispose of them.

What is to stop an opponent from making cheap signs and posting them all over to cost the other guy money for not removing signs they didnt know about?

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by canadian citizen

Here in the city of Toronto there IS a specific bylaw that covers ALL election signs, be they municipal, Provincial or Federal . The fines and the various types of offences are outlined in the link that I will post here. The bylaw is strictly enforced by the City of Toronto By Law Enforcement officers who can and do write Provincial Offence Notices for those who are not in compliance with the bylaw. I will point out the VERY heavy fines that can be levied to election candidates and or their political party, for not removing signs within 4 days after election day. Fines range from $10,000 to $ 100,000 depending on the situation. Yes we really do enforce this in Toronto.

Link to the City of Toronto bylaw about election signs. https://www.toronto.ca/city-governme...lection-signs/

This bylaw has been on the books for at least 30 years. Other cities and towns in Ontario have similar by laws. Questions ? Ask me here.

Unfortunately, a logical--albeit Draconian--approach like that is unlikely to work in The US, where virtually any attempt to impose new regulations is met by some sort of bizarrely-framed claim that it "would infringe muh freedoms".