Politicians Breaking the Law - Scandalous!

Campaign signs on a public street in Arlington

Anyone who's not in the sign business probably hasn't given much thought to the laws pertaining to signage.  If you're one of those people - let me tell you, the laws are extensive and can be complicated...and they extend to political campaign signage, too.

Here in the Commonwealth, we just had a gubernatorial election.  That's a pretty big deal, and it got a lot of attention...and a lot of signage.  State laws in Virginia allow political campaign signage on private property starting 75 days prior to an election, and mandate removal no later than 15 days after an election...on private property.  There's also an allowance for signage near polling locations on election day itself - not to be placed within 40 feet of the entrance.

However, maybe you've noticed all political campaign signage doesn't take up roots on private property.  Maybe you saw an occasional roadside sign...on a median or street corner.  I did a little research on the codes, and one government site says and I quote, "State law prohibits putting political campaign signs on roads and medians."

Wow. If I understand that correctly - that means our honest and trustworthy gubernatorial candidates (and pretty much all candidates for this and other offices, past and present) are breaking the law prior to even getting elected to office!

I'd love to call a politician breaking the law scandalous, but the number of people in line to be shocked by it would rather be short.  That said - is there a point to all this?

What stands out to me initially is a politician's blatant disregard for the law - minor or not.  After that, leaving the signs behind after the election shows a willingness to litter all over what the consituents call home.  Granted, it hasn't been 15 days since the election...but that regulation only applies to signs on private property - not the ones that were never supposed to be there in the first place.

Until the political funding/contribution laws get a much needed overhaul - the candidates were getting plenty of support last time I checked.  May I suggest you save some funding for after the election - to hire a few unemployed people to walk along the highway and pick up all your trash? That would be great...thanks.