Political pollution
The election season is behind us, but many political yard signs are still firmly planted in our state’s soil, leaving a political landscape that most Iowans are ready to put behind them.
While being firm believers in First Amendment rights, we also support enforcement of the law, with the Iowa code stating that political yard signs “shall not be placed on any property which adjoins a city, county, or state roadway sooner than forty-five days preceding a primary or general election and shall be removed within seven days after the primary or general election…”
A leisurely drive through the metro this past week showed dozens of violations from a range of candidates and parties, polluting communities with now irrelevant and irresponsible politics. Legislators should review the law and adjust it to minimize the littering of these signs for weeks — even months — on end. Although some Iowa communities have appropriately implemented stricter laws, others have not. Even so, the state law is clear, stating that election signs can be posted for a total of 52 days for one election, which translates to 14 percent of the year. Assuming the candidate also used yard signs for the primary, the public could be subjected to up to 104 days of political signs from one candidate, or 28 percent of the year. Is there any question why Iowans get sick of politics?
So why 52 days per election? Could 35 days of political yard signs be enough? Or 28? Or 21? The signs would certainly hold up better in a shorter time span, being less likely to become broken or tattered. And at a few dollars per sign or more, the candidates could even save some money, all the while in a level playing field.
The reality is that changing the law is one thing, but enforcing it is quite another. In the calls we made to the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board and to a handful of city offices, it became clear that there are no penalties for those who violate these laws. Seriously.
Yes, most of these election signs eventually come down, one way or another, but is it too much for us to expect those we elect to public office to follow the law, or is it simply another sign of the times? CV
