Source: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/town-clerks/polling-place-sign-rules/
Timestamp: 2020-03-31 13:26:18
Document Index: 117456262

Matched Legal Cases: ['§2508', '§301', '§481', '§494', '§1971', '§2291', '§4404']

Polling Place & Sign Rules
Elections > Town Clerks > Polling Place & Sign Rules
1. Political campaign signs at the polling place on Election Day may be regulated by the presiding officer. 17 V.S.A. §2508.
The law was amended in 2001 to give more authority to the presiding officer on the day of the election. The presiding officer can prohibit all signs from being placed in the ground or affixed to anything on the property of the polling place. However, the presiding officer cannot prohibit a person from standing and holding a sign outside the polling place as long as the person does not hinder or impede the progress of any voter going into or out of the polling place. For the day of the election, the presiding officer can adopt a policy to allow signs to be placed in certain areas as long as the policy is applied evenly to all candidates or political issues regardless of the political content. The presiding officer can limit the size or number of signs per candidate.
There is no specific number of feet away from the polling place limitation in Vermont law. It is up to the presiding officer at each polling place to set reasonable rules to allow voters to enter and leave the polling place without interference. The rules will depend on the physical characteristics of the each polling place. Generally the presiding officer will come outside early in the day to explain to all interested persons where they can stand and greet voters, where they can stand to hold signs, and where they can stand to offer printed information to voters. In our experience, most people generally abide by the rules established by the presiding officer without any problems. If there is a problem, the presiding officer can call a law enforcement officer for assistance.
1. You must obtain permission of the property owner before you place any sign.
2. It is a violation of criminal law to put a sign on any utility pole in Vermont. 13 V.S.A. §301
3. The Agency of Transportation (Travel Information Council) enforces Vermont’s sign law. 10 V.S.A. §§481-506. According to these statutes:
4. On town highways temporary campaign signs may be displayed for a period of not more than two weeks within the highway right-of-way because they are exempt from the state sign law under 10 V.S.A. §494(9). Enforcement on town highways is the responsibility of the legislative body (selectboard).
5. Temporary political campaign signs on public or private property may also be regulated by either a local sign ordinance (24 V.S.A. §1971 and §2291) or a municipal zoning bylaw (24 V.S.A. §4404). Political signs may not be banned altogether, but they may be regulated by reasonable, nondiscriminatory rules as to size, location, and duration that apply equally to all temporary signs. The zoning administrator or another town official cannot summarily remove signs that violate local ordinances. The locally adopted sign or zoning ordinance must be enforced according to the terms of the ordinance as established in accordance with the state enabling statute.
Look at our Guide to Town Clerks to find out if a town has adopted a zoning bylaw. If a town has adopted a zoning bylaw, the guide provides the hours that the zoning administrator can be reached. The zoning administrator can explain the town rules for temporary signs. You can check with the town clerk to find out if a town has adopted a sign ordinance.
6. On public property owned by towns or public schools, the legislative body (selectboard or school board) may have adopted ordinances, regulations or policies that either prohibit placement of temporary political campaign signs or that allow placement for a short duration subject to size limits and number of signs per candidate limits. If the board has adopted rules or policies, just ask the clerk for a copy of the rules and follow them.
If the board has not adopted a rule or a policy, then each candidate must ask the board for permission to place a sign. We strongly suggest that it will be easier for all involved if the local boards will adopt a clear policy.
The policy can be short and sweet. We suggest that the board consider the following:
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