September 20, 2024

County attorney reinforces campaign sign laws

Nicholson says it’s illegal to post signs on properties without owner consent

By Christopher Braunschweig
It is a crime to place campaign signs on properties without the expressed permission of the property owner. Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson emphasized this fact after receiving reports from citizens and law enforcement of signs supporting local candidates showing up on their properties. “So I’m here to remind everybody that if you’re going to place a campaign sign in private property, you have to have the permission of the owner that private property,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, if you don’t, and you are prosecuted, it’s a serious misdemeanor. It’s not even a simple (misdemeanor).” Nicholson gave this advice at the Sept. 17 supervisors meeting. He did not reveal the names of the candidates whose signs he received complaints about. Other than the presidential election, the signs could have likely been in regards to one of the candidates in the supervisors race between incumbent Doug Cupples and newcomers Jerry Chandler, Thad Nearmyer and Randy Ray or the Iowa House District 38 race between incumbent Jon Dunwell and newcomer Brad Magg. According to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, campaign signs are permitted on residential properties, ag land belonging to a family farm, leased properties, vacant lots and businesses or organizations that are not corporations, financial institutions or insurance companies. But all need owner permission. Leased properties used for a candidate, campaign committee or political party headquarters or office are permitted to post signs. Properties owned by the state, county, city or other political subdivisions (including public right-of-ways) are prohibited from posting campaign signs unless the property is made open and available to any individual or group from the public to lawfully place any type of sign. Campaign signs for candidates or bond issues are also prohibited at polling places or within 300 feet of a polling place, unless they are on private property. Vehicles with campaign signs bigger than 90 square inches are even prohibited from parking on public property within 300 of a polling place.

It is a crime to place campaign signs on properties without the expressed permission of the property owner. Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson emphasized this fact after receiving reports from citizens and law enforcement of signs supporting local candidates showing up on their properties. “So I’m here to remind everybody that if you’re going to place a campaign sign in private property, you have to have the permission of the owner that private property,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, if you don’t, and you are prosecuted, it’s a serious misdemeanor. It’s not even a simple (misdemeanor).” Nicholson gave this advice at the Sept. 17 supervisors meeting. He did not reveal the names of the candidates whose signs he received complaints about. Other than the presidential election, the signs could have likely been in regards to one of the candidates in the supervisors race between incumbent Doug Cupples and newcomers Jerry Chandler, Thad Nearmyer and Randy Ray or the Iowa House District 38 race between incumbent Jon Dunwell and newcomer Brad Magg. According to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, campaign signs are permitted on residential properties, ag land belonging to a family farm, leased properties, vacant lots and businesses or organizations that are not corporations, financial institutions or insurance companies. But all need owner permission. Leased properties used for a candidate, campaign committee or political party headquarters or office are permitted to post signs. Properties owned by the state, county, city or other political subdivisions (including public right-of-ways) are prohibited from posting campaign signs unless the property is made open and available to any individual or group from the public to lawfully place any type of sign. Campaign signs for candidates or bond issues are also prohibited at polling places or within 300 feet of a polling place, unless they are on private property. Vehicles with campaign signs bigger than 90 square inches are even prohibited from parking on public property within 300 of a polling place. (Christopher Braunschweig)

It is a crime to place campaign signs on properties without the expressed permission of the property owner. Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson emphasized this fact after receiving reports from citizens and law enforcement of signs supporting local candidates showing up on their properties.

“So I’m here to remind everybody that if you’re going to place a campaign sign in private property, you have to have the permission of the owner that private property,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, if you don’t, and you are prosecuted, it’s a serious misdemeanor. It’s not even a simple (misdemeanor).”

Nicholson gave this advice at the Sept. 17 supervisors meeting. He did not reveal the names of the candidates whose signs he received complaints about.

Other than the presidential election, the signs could have likely been in regards to one of the candidates in the supervisors race between incumbent Doug Cupples and newcomers Jerry Chandler, Thad Nearmyer and Randy Ray or the Iowa House District 38 race between incumbent Jon Dunwell and newcomer Brad Magg.

According to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, campaign signs are permitted on residential properties, ag land belonging to a family farm, leased properties, vacant lots and businesses or organizations that are not corporations, financial institutions or insurance companies. But all need owner permission.

Leased properties used for a candidate, campaign committee or political party headquarters or office are permitted to post signs.

Properties owned by the state, county, city or other political subdivisions (including public right-of-ways) are prohibited from posting campaign signs unless the property is made open and available to any individual or group from the public to lawfully place any type of sign.

Campaign signs for candidates or bond issues are also prohibited at polling places or within 300 feet of a polling place, unless they are on private property. Vehicles with campaign signs bigger than 90 square inches are even prohibited from parking on public property within 300 of a polling place.

Newton
Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.