Campaign signs come with season
You might see them just about anywhere in town, those placards planted in the ground along streets and in yards to increase a candidate’s name recognition among voters.
Whether you like them or not, campaign signs are a traditional part of the political process and come with the election season. And the various levels of government — municipal, state and even federal — have laws and ordinances that regulate when and where candidates can post signs.
The Seward City Code allows political signs not more than 6 square feet per sign in residential districts and 32 square feet per sign in commercial districts. Signs may be displayed no earlier than 30 days prior to any election and shall be removed within 7 days following the election; provided that signs erected for any primary election that remain relevant to the following general election may be maintained for the period between elections.
Signs for the Aug. 28 primary election may be displayed starting July 28. For municipal elections signs may be displayed starting Sept. 2. For the statewide general and national elections signs can be displayed starting Oct. 6.
State law does not allow political signs along highway rights-of-way.
Questions about the municipal sign rules can be directed to the City of Seward Community Development Department at 224-4049. For information about state rules, contact the Alaska Public Offices Commission at 907-276-4176.