Politics & Government

Alderman Ponder Rules to Prevent Placement, Proliferation of Political Signs

We've all seen them—election signs in the public right of way and popping up in multiples at polling places. But can the city control it?

Everyone gets a little tired of election season, and city officials are no different.

"City staff and enforcement staff hate the election season with a passion," Wentzville City Administrator Mike McDowell said at Wednesday night's board of aldermen work session. 

And it's all about the signs.

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The board was considering placing regulations on political signs, addressing in particular signs placed in the city-owned right-of-way and signs that are placed in multiples at polling places.

"No regulations would be the easiest, but that isn’t going to happen," McDowell said. 

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City Attorney Paul Rost had told the board previously that the main thing to consider when it came to regulations for political signs was that they can't be treated any differently from any other type of sign.

"Some communities have adopted provisions that do limit the number of signs," McDowell said, "Several have been (legally) challenged, and the record is spotty. Some regulations prevailed, some were overturned."

Community Development Director Doug Forbeck said that city ordinance classified political signs the same as any other temporary sign. The city has even attempted to limit how many of the same sign can be place on private property.

Forbeck said that the code allows the city to remove signs in the public right-of-way and keep them for 7 days to allow the owner time to retrieve them before they are discarded.

Alderman Chris Gard said that the city uses staff time to contact the political campaigns about signs placed inappropriately in the right-of-way.

"We've all run for office. We all get the same election packet," Gard said. "Do we want to continue as a city making those calls?"

Mayor Nick Guccione suggested that a one-time courtesy call might be in order.

Alderman Michael Hays said, "If this is going to involve time and money for the city, we should go to MoDOT's position—it just becomes a missing sign. Are going to be keeping record of who got their first warning shot?"

Alderman Rick Stokes said that courtesy calls would have to be extended to all types of signs in violation of ordinance. "Unless you’re calling every garage sale, every real estate office, you're showing preferential treatment," he said.

The board then turned the discussion to the proliferation of signs at the polling places on election day. 

"They are regulated in other places," Gard said. "It's whether or not we want to try."

The board asked staff to get examples from cities that already have such regulations in place, and will address the issue at a future meeting.

 


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