Did you know that these political manifestations that are emerging are an extension of the constitutional right to free speech, which is actually regulated by state law?
Texas Election Code Title 15, Chapter 259 requires the following notice to be displayed on all signs visible from the street: of the highway. ” The law further provides that a person who knowingly contracts to print or create a political billboard that does not include this notice, or who installs or directs another person to install a political billboard in a highway right-of-way, It stipulates that anyone who does so is in violation of the law. . (Does not apply to bumper stickers.)
Signs must state who paid for the expense (e.g., “Diane Edmondson Campaign”) and use the word “for” the position being sought, unless the candidate is an incumbent. (such as “Frank Smith as Judge”).
Additionally, it is against Texas law to steal or vandalize political signs, and many still do so every election cycle. I simply don’t understand why anyone would think that removing one (or more) political signs would somehow change the outcome of an election. These signs provide recognition of candidates’ names and, within neighborhoods, allow property owners to publicly express their election preferences. Although it’s not necessarily a recommended method for some people who don’t like doing their own political research but feel they generally agree with their four-door neighbor’s opinion, Here’s an easy way to do it.
Although some property owners associations have sought to ban political signs, section 259.002 of the Act prohibits the POA from regulating such signs after 90 days before an election or before 10 days after an election. I am doing it. The POA may also regulate the size to be no larger than 4 x 6 feet.
Therefore, almost every sign we see in a neighborhood is legal and resembles a poll, giving some indication of the overall political leanings of that community. But as any political consultant will tell you, the only polls that really matter are those on Election Day. Many people consider their political choices private and do not sign or respond to pollsters.
During early voting and on Election Day, there will be plenty of signage at various polling places to remind voters of the candidates’ names. And perhaps some volunteers will try to talk to voters as they enter the polling place. These signs and ushers must remain 100 feet from the venue entrance and within the lines marked by the venue election judge. This activity is called “election campaigning” and is permitted under state law.
However, campaign activities such as wearing T-shirts or buttons with a candidate’s name on them, or discussing candidates with other voters are prohibited inside the polling station. Election judges have the power to remove voters if they violate these rules. Candidate documents are allowed within voting sites, but not on mobile phones. By law, the use of mobile phones inside polling stations is prohibited. If a voter needs curbside assistance to vote, an election clerk will take the private ballot to their vehicle.
Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 1. Registered voters in Denton County can vote at one of 54 early voting locations. A complete list of early voting sites and early voting can be found at VoteDenton.gov. You can also request a mail-in ballot (request must be made by October 26th and the ballot must be completed and returned by November 5th at 7pm).
Voting on Election Day must be done at your designated polling place. With voting available at any county polling place for two full weeks, and with mail-in ballots and 145 Election Day venue locations readily available at VoteDenton.gov, there is absolutely no reason for anyone who wants to vote not to do so. Therefore, please make every effort to vote. This is not just a privilege. It’s your civic duty.
Contact Commissioner Diane Edmondson via email (email protected) or call 972-434-3960. You can also visit her office at 6200 Canyon Falls Drive, Suite 900, Southwest Courthouse in Flower Mound.
