The Department of
Transportation would like to inform all candidates and their co-workers of the
present statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to placement of
roadside posters and signs advertising their candidacy. Under the provisions of
Title 23 MRSA, ¤1913-A and Department Regulations, political posters and signs
may be erected and maintained as follows:
1.
May be erected on private property
outside the Right of Way limits of public ways at any time prior to an
election, primary or referendum;
2.
May be erected within the Right
of Way limits of public ways no sooner than six (6) weeks prior to an
election, primary or referendum and must be removed no later than one (1)
week following the date of the election, primary or referendum;
3.
Prohibited practices: political posters and signs shall not be erected or maintained on any
traffic control signs or devices, public utility poles or
fixtures, upon any trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural
features;
4.
No person shall place, maintain
or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal,
marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an
official traffic-control device, such as a stop sign;
5.
Political signs may be displayed
to view to all public ways except for the Interstate Highway
System. Title 23 MRSA, ¤1913-A,
paragraph 3 (Regulations) and paragraph 6 (Interstate system) states that: Signs
may not be placed within the limits of any controlled access highway nor
erected within 660 ft. of the nearest edge of the Interstate Highway System in
such a manner that the message may be read from the Interstate Highway. All
signs located at interstate interchanges are in violation and will be removed.
6.
Municipal ordinances advocating stricter control take precedence over state law. Check with the municipal clerk
for any such local ordinances.
Traffic safety should be of
the utmost consideration in placement of political signs. Candidates and campaign workers should
take great care not to place signs or posters where same could create a traffic
hazard. For example, signs or
posters should not be placed at or near intersections where they could obstruct
the view of on-coming traffic to the motorist entering the intersection. Also, signs or posters should not be
erected on or in any manner so as to interfere with the effectiveness of
traffic control devices. Acceptable display would be those posters or signs
affixed to their own stake or post and set in the ground well outside the
traveled portion of the highway, or, with the ownerÕs consent and permission,
attached to a building or dwelling, or displayed on vehicles or in the windows
of business establishments, and in other like manner. Please help the Department of Transportation to prevent an
unsightly, indiscriminate and uncontrolled display of election campaign posters
throughout the State and to prevent any possible embarrassment to candidates.
Questions: Call Robert Sinclair, Supervisor
– Right of Way Maintenance Control
Telephone:
(207) 624-3611
Unlawful
removal of political signs (from public roadways)
The unauthorized removal or destruction of
political signs is a civil violation under Maine law (Title 23 MRSA, Section
1917-A), and may carry a fine of up to $250. Specifically, the law states that Òa personÓ who takes,
defaces or disturbs a lawfully placed sign bearing political messages relating
to a general election, primary election or referendum commits a civil violation
for which a forfeiture of up to $250 may be adjudged.Ó
The law does not apply to a person authorized by a
candidate or political committee to remove signs placed by or at the direction
of that candidate or political committee.
It also does not apply to the landowner, or agent of the landowner, on
whose property a sign has been placed.
A candidate or candidateÕs committee would file a
complaint with the local police and/or brought to the District AttorneyÕs office
for appropriate action.