NHDOT Reminder to Candidates Regarding Placement of Political Signs

Another election year is upon us and the Department of Transportation is once again reminding candidates and their campaign workers about proper placement of political signs:

• The law prohibits placement of political signs on the interstate highways, including the entrance and exit ramps.
• The law prohibits placement of political signs on or affixed to utility poles or highway signs, including delineators.
• Signs that create a traffic hazard or obstruct the safe flow of traffic will be removed.  Signs affixed to bridges create a traffic hazard and will be removed.
• Signs will be removed to perform maintenance.  This is prime mowing season, so it is best not to place signs in an area with long grass that is likely to be mowed in the near future.
• Placement of signs on private property requires permission from the landowner.
• Signs on private property that obstruct traffic signs or signals, or restrict a motorist’s field of view at an intersection, will be removed as a traffic hazard. (RSA 236:1, 236:73.)
• Candidates are required to remove all political signs by the second Friday following the election, unless the election is a primary and the advertising concerns a winning candidate.  (RSA 664:17.)

In an effort to best use the Department’s resources, NHDOT Commissioner Victoria F. Sheehan has written to the political party chairs and political candidate regarding placement of political signs.  In the event the Department needs to remove political signs for safety or maintenance, the signs will be held at the local patrol headquarters until one week after the election and then discarded. (RSA 664:17.)