 Keeping Politicians Honest
It's is election time again (doesn't it always seem like it is election time in VA?) and those pesky campaign signs are sprouting up in public right-of-ways everywhere. This year its time to do something about it. This year it is time to issue a challenge, the
No Illegal Campaign Signs 2007
challenge.
Are Politicians Breaking the Law?
Say it ain't so Joe! Unfortunately the answer is, quite frequently, yes. Contrary to popular misconception there is no loop hole in Virginia law that would permit political candidates to place their signs in public right-of-ways. Additionally, VDOT does not issue permits that would allow politicians to place these signs in public right-of-ways (see the Virginia Law page for more details). The other common ploy used by politicians is to feign ignorance of the law.
I am sure that you have heard the following phrase before: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." Worse then that, each election cycle the Virginia State Board of Elections distributes a packet of information to candidates that contains the following page from VDOT(click on the little image to see a larger version):
 A "clean" campaign is a sign of the times.
Don't "trash" your print budget or throw away volunteer time. Highway workers are required by laww to remove posters and flyers on signs, guardrails - or anywhere else on state-owned right of way. Campaign print materials are too expensive to wind up in the back of a VDOT truck. And volunteer time is too valuable to be wasted on putting up material that is destined to come down.
Don't make highway workers "play politics" on the job. Picking up political material is a costly activity for VDOT. But the cost to the candidate could be even higher. Voters don't like to see their tax dollars supporting such activities. They expect to see their highway workers patching potholes, filling low shoulders, or mowing grass.
Don't let campaign materials turn into litter. Many voters volunteer their time to clean up roadsides in VDOT's "Adopt-A-Highway" program. After spending several back-breaking hours bending over to pick up political posters, they won't feel to kindly towards the names and faces that they see over and over again.
Don't get "stuck" by bumper stickers. One little bumper sticker can cause a lot of expense. If applied to a roadside sign, the sticky residue is almost impossible to remove. The sign may have to be replaced entirely. The large green highway signs, for example, can cost up to $500. Even a humble stop sign costs more than $50. Don't risk alienating voters by destroying the very signs that their tax dollars have paid for.
Don't risk your candidate's image. It is illegal to place political signs on state-owned right of ways. You want citizens to view your candidate as a lawmaker - not a law breaker.
Don't risk someone's life. One misplaced sign at an intersection could block a motorist's vision-and cost someone his lie. That's why VDOT traffice engineers review the placement and positions of each highway sign to ensure safety-and to minimize visual clutter. Understandably, campaign volunteers are thinking about victory - not safety. And that could pose a deadly problem.
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