Election litter
Election litter is a term used by some States and Country governments to describe the unlawful erection of political propaganda on private residences or property owned by the local government. Often, election signs may only be displayed on private proprty with permission for a certain time within the election, and may not exceed a certain size. When not removed, they are considered a problem.
Banning election litter
Election litter usually is defined as placing campaign signs on public, government-owned property, or on privately owned residences without the owner's permission.[1] It is often banned by local government.
According to North Carolina's "State Board of Elections littering notification" statute,
[...] the State Board of Elections shall notify the candidate of the provisions concerning campaign signs in G.S. 136‑32 and G.S. 14‑156, and the rules adopted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to G.S. 136‑18. (2001‑512, s. 7.)[2]
Similarly, Chapter 23.04 of the San Jose Municipal Code (adopted in August 2001) forbids the use of "election signs" on government-owned property, and only allows its use on private property with the permission of the owner of that property, and in residential areas with restrictions. This is the responsibility of "undertakes an election campaign".[3]
The "Litter Pollution Act" of County Kerry, Ireland restricted the deposition of materials in public places, so as to create litter. It was enforced in cleaning up election litter in 2002.[4] Violation of the Act is a summary offence.
Limits on election signs
While almost all law about election litter restricts its placement on tax-funded public property and private property without permission, there are also special time limits imposed. For example, election signs in San Jose are allowed no more than 10 days after election;[3] San Bruno, California, 14 days;[5] Tuscon, Arizona, 15 days;[6] County Kerry (Ireland), 7 days after election.[4]
In addition, regulation can be placed on the size of election signs. For example, Saint Paul, Minnesota places an area limit of 16 square feet (1.486 m2).[7] Tuscon disallows the height of election signs to exceed 10 feet (3.048 m) in all districts, an area of 6 square feet (0.557 m2) in non-residential districts, and an area of 50 square feet (4.645 m2) in other districts.[6]
Cleanup of election litter
An excessive number of campaign signs is often considered a problem.[8][9]
The elimination of election litter was supported in Makati City in the Philippines. Organized by the DES (Department of Environmental Services), it was approximated that at least 95% of "leaflets, posters, streamers and billboards" were cleared, in according with an ordinance "prohibiting the defacement of walls and public spaces".[10] In Taipei, the removal of election litter was ordered to give residents "a clean city".[11]
References
- ^ Signs of election litter medians: "Campaign signs are not allowed on city property except on planting strips adjacent to property, and that's only with the residents' consent"
- ^ N.C. Statute
- ^ a b SAN JOSE MUNICIPAL CODE Chapter 23.04
- ^ a b Council told to crackdown on election litter louts
- ^ Section 12.104.210 Election signs.
- ^ a b City of Tucson Political Election Sign Regulations
- ^ Chapter 30. Temporary Election Signs
- ^ Post-election litter a matter for politicians
- ^ Election litter needs to be removed
- ^ Use of the term in Manila Philippines
- ^ Election Litter Ban Ordered
See also
External link
- A brochure by Litterbug.org advocating against election litter