It’s springtime during an election year and that means political signs are popping up like daffodils throughout Josephine County. While not as pretty as flowers, the signs are bright with patriotic colors, boldly lettered names and drive-by promises. Josephine County mythology says the candidate with the biggest signs wins.
However, Josephine County law says signs shouldn’t exceed 12 square feet, which means anything bigger than 3”X 4’ is illegal. So, the candidate with the biggest signs may also be the candidate flouting the county’s law. An outsized sign also begs the question: if a candidate ignores the sign law, what other county laws will he or she ignore? Unfortunately for those who believe exceedingly large campaign signs are unsightly, unfair to candidates with lesser means or just annoying, it doesn’t appear the county’s sign ordinance is backed up with much enforcement.
Do signs help a candidate win an election? In a detailed study called Electoral Studies in 2016, yard signs were shown to make a measurable but modest difference in local political campaigns but almost no difference in presidential elections. Signs help with name recognition, generate inquiries, influence undecided voters and remind people to vote in an upcoming election. On the other hand, too many signs that “shout” a candidate’s name all over the city or county can be annoying to voters. The study found that political yard signs, done well, can increase a candidate’s vote by a little more than 1 percent, which could be significant in a close race.
In spite of Josephine County mythology, studies show the number of signs or the size of those signs don’t necessarily predict who might win an election. Even though people might allow a political sign on their property, it doesn’t always mean the property owner will vote for that candidate. The candidate might just be a relative or old friend. Also, the people without signs usually outnumber people with signs and you can’t tell who they will vote for. And if they aren’t fond of a neighbor with a sign, they might just vote the opposite of who he’s supporting.
In case you were wondering, here are the laws regarding political signs.
According to Oregon state law:
- No signs are allowed in the state rights-of-way, on right-of-way fences or fence posts, utility poles, trees, rocks, or other natural features, on protected areas of the interstate system, or in designated scenic areas or park lands.
- Temporary political signs are allowed on private property within view of state highways with the following restrictions: no flashing or intermittent lights, animated or moving parts are allowed.
- Signs must not block the view of traffic or traffic signs. Signs must not imitate an official highway sign or device. Signs are not allowed in scenic corridors.
- Signs must be 12 square feet or less (3x4 is usual) when visible from the state highway unless the state granted an exception. Signs must be removed within 60 days after the date of placement, except there is no time limit for signs erected by residents on the residents’ residential property.
- Any temporary sign located on a state highway right-of-way may be removed without notice.
Josephine County basically follows the state laws regarding political signs, adding: signs must be maintained in a neat, clean, and attractive condition. Signs cannot be located within a county, state, or federal right-of-way. No permanent or temporary signs may be erected or placed in such a manner so that it interferes with, or obstructs the view of, or may be confused with, any authorized traffic sign.
The City of Grants Pass allows signs to be up to 100 square feet in commercial zones (10’ x 10”) and up to 150 square feet in industrial zones (15” x 10”). Other rules are:
Temporary political signs located on residential property within the City of Grants Pass may be erected no earlier than eleven (11) weeks prior to the applicable
