Campaign Signs As Safety Hazard?
We saw this story in the TNT and looked out our windows. Sure enough, there are a lot of campaign signs out there. The intersection in the story is what I see every day from my office window.
What’s wrong with it? Architect David Boe, and the author of our Imagine Tacoma series, has worked hard to get a crosswalk in this intersection. Now, with the construction on 7th street and the plethora of campaign signs in the median, the cross walk has become indecipherable from all the other signs, traffic cones, and barricades. Therefore, Boe sent a letter to a number of the campaigns requesting that they remove their signs from this median. From the TNT:
Boe said this morning there is a special reward awaiting for the responsible candidate:
“I figure I would vote for whichever candidate gets their sign off the median the first,” he said.
The County Executive race is pretty well represented. McCarthy. Goings. Bunny. There’s a judge seeking reelection.
Then …
I went to make coffee and returned to my seat. As I looked out the window, I noticed that something had changed. Pat McCarthy’s signs were gone. All six of them. One vote for Pat?
Link to The News Tribune
Filed under: public-safety, elections
14 comments
M morgan June 24, 2008
David points out something the city should have done long ago:
Ban yard signs!
I am not aware of any studies that indicate the effectiveness of yard signs. The research I’ve read states that voters pamphlets are the single largest factor for helping voters decide who to vote for.
Not that I’ve looked into it much… or that I would suggest voting for David…
R Rich64N June 24, 2008
About a week ago I was going north on Union at 30th and a County Executive campaign sign on the raised median blocked my view of the eastbound traffic. There were several signs in the area, but only one so far forward it was obstructing views of oncoming traffic. I got out of my car and pushed it over while thinking he just lost my vote (realizing it is probably a volunteer that put in the sign).
K Kendall Reid June 24, 2008
I am seeing commerical signs in places that are popular for political signs. I agree with Derek that it is important that limits not be placed on political speech in the form of campaign signs. However, commercial speech is another matter. Campaign style commercial signs and sandwich boards placed at popular intersections, blocks, if not miles, from the object or service advertised are a public nuisance. These signs create visual clutter and sometimes hazards to navigation for pedestrians or bicyclist (in the case of the signs at the top of the bicycle path to the Narrows Bridge) as well as cars. I believe those signs violate (at least) the spirit of the city ordinance on sandwich board signs. Let’s place them face down and out of the way of the sidewalk/intersection.
N NorthEndJustin June 24, 2008
Back in February there was a giant campaign banner (For Ron Paul if I remember correctly) strung between the big power towers at the intersection of N21st and Proctor. It blocked the view of traffic and pedestrians.
I don’t understand how there isn’t a limit on the number and type of signs that can be placed.
V Vidiot June 24, 2008
I was trying to pull out of Fred Meyer’s on 19th and couldn’t see around a large double size ‘red’ candidate’s sign. I felt the placement lacked any concern for driver safety.
I believe signs are an important part of the political process, they show which candidates are serious about the job and they help to serve as a reminder that there are people working to earn their vote.
However, I believe there should be a limited time frame (120 days prior or not until after filing week.)
It is sad to drive around and see dirty tattered signs that have been out for 8 months with 5 months to go in the election.
Kudos to the McCarthy campaign for being responsive to a citizen’s request. That’s one way to earn our votes.
E Erik B. June 24, 2008
My first priority would be to ban billboards.
D DavidS June 24, 2008
Ban yard signs!
Signs on personal property, particularly private residences, are protected. (Caveat: …unless you are under a homeowner or condo association. Then the association can make and enforce rules about political signs.)
This does not mean that signs on public property are protected. Up until the City Council passed an ordinance in 2005 (a City election year – but then so are all odd years), political signs were generally not allowed on City owned property. Since then, our medians become obscured each year in early summer. That is the code that is causing this problem and can be changed by the council. (Maybe make them get some new type of demonstration permit for each location.)
(For some more history, the City of Tacoma has been a battleground on this issue over the years. In the mid-90’s, Collier v. Tacoma established that in Washington you could not put a time limit on when candidate signs could be out as it was regulating political speech based on content.)
My biggest frustration is those candidates who think that 20 signs in a row on a median makes them look like a better candidate rather than just plain desperate.
O okobojicat June 24, 2008
I worked on a couple political campaigns in Iowa the rules out there are pretty clear: signs can only be placed on private property and there is a fine associated with placing it elsewhere. There are even restrictions for signs on cars/trucks that are near poling stations on the election day!
The vast majority of the time, this wasn’t a problem, although, there were a couple elections were opponents would steal signs and place them illegally to get campaigns fined. When I moved out to Tacoma, I was really stunned at all the signs in Medians, right of ways, and generally just in the way and looking ugly. So, I’m with DavidS above to change the city law, and probably the state law with it.
M morgan June 24, 2008
Ok, let me rephrase that:
Ban yard signs on public property!
T Timothy Farrell June 24, 2008
I asked the question on political yard signs of staff when we started work on revising the real estate broker signage ordinance. I will ask Derek to post the legal opinion that I was given by our attorney Jeff Cox.
Tim
J J. Cote June 25, 2008
I agree with Morgan. Ban all signs on public property except those that direct traffic. It has NO effect on freedom of speech, because it does not effect private property. Did you know that there is actually a City ordanance that prohibits the removal of campaign signs??? How stupid is that?
Public property is and belongs to the public? Why then are campaigners permitted to use it for their own selfish gains? On SR16, on the Eastbound side, waaaaay up on the hill, are two signs for Bunny. “Signs” is putting it lightly. They are the size of billboards. My solution: I will vote for NO CANDIDATE that misuses public rights of way with signage of any manner. What’s more, I call AND e-mail their campaigns and tell them so! There’s your solution, gang. Let them know that their signs are COSTING them votes. If enough people do it….
S Sassy McButterpants June 25, 2008
Political signs are totally unnecessary. Come voting day, you simply peruse the voter’s pamphlet, select the most attractive candidate, and cast your vote.
M Marty June 25, 2008
Thanks Sassy.
Thats where I went wrong. I am making a note to find more attractive photo.
S Sassy McButterpants June 25, 2008
Your efforts toward political excellence will not go unrewarded, Mr. Campbell.