Political sign regulations spark debate ahead of elections

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the regulations surrounding the placement of political signs in the lead-up to elections, clarifying the implications of a state statute enacted in 2019. The statute, KSA 25-2711, prohibits cities and counties from regulating or limiting the number of political signs on private property or unpaved rights-of-way during a 45-day period before an election and for two days following.

County representatives confirmed that while there are no restrictions on sign placement during this period, local ordinances may impose size and setback requirements to ensure safety and visibility. Seward County has a resolution that aligns with the state statute, allowing political signs to be placed on private property with the owner's permission. However, city officials expressed a preference for signs to remain off city rights-of-way until the 45-day window begins.

Concerns were raised regarding the removal of signs, with city manager Rusty Varnado noting that while some signs had been taken down for safety reasons, they are not discarded. Instead, removed signs are stored at city hall, allowing candidates to retrieve them.

The discussion highlighted the balance between maintaining public safety and upholding First Amendment rights, as officials navigated the complexities of political expression in the context of local governance. The meeting aimed to ensure that all stakeholders understood the current regulations and the rationale behind them, addressing community concerns about the visibility and placement of political signage.