Okay, so the election is over -- though ironically the fight for the city's top prosecutor trudges along -- but isn't soon time to pick up the campaign signs? I know it's only two days since we (well, less than a third of us) went to the polls, but these signs are already feeling like the lawn chairs that guarded spaces long after the snow storms pulled away.
Trouble is, unlike the lawn chairs, which are technically illegal, there is nothing to prevent a trounced candidate from keeping his sign up, well, forever. Counties and other local jurisdictions tried with a variety of laws to force candidates to remove their signs within a week of elections or not put them up more than two months before.
At left is a scene on York Road just north of Northern Parkway where a day after the election campaign signs were already in disrepair.
But a federal judge ruled three years that's a violation of free speech. Zoning laws can restrict the sign and somewhat the placement of signs, but it can't single campaign signs out for special treatment. Government can't regulate the speech, and that includes how long the speech can be posted.
Many jurisdictions, including Baltimore City and Baltimore County, have the restrictive laws on the books, but the Attorney General's Office warns the local governments that they can't be enforced. I checked with both the city and the county, and indeed, they're aware of the ruling.
So if you want to complain about signs, call your local candidate.