WYDOT clarifies rules on placement of political signs
by Wyoming Department of Transportation
July 14, 2008
With the campaign season shifting into high gear, the Wyoming Department of Transportation reminds candidates that political signs cannot be placed in the rights of way of interstate and rural highways.
State laws prohibit placing advertising signs within highway rights of way, or putting political campaign signs on state property in most cases. Otherwise, to place campaign material in the WYDOT highway right of way, certain conditions must be met first.
"Signs can be placed within WYDOT rights of way only in incorporated cities and towns, but the city or town has to have an ordinance allowing campaign materials to be put up in their rights of way. Under no circumstance, can campaign materials be erected on any interstate highway," said Theresa Herbin, WYDOT District Three Public Involvement Specialist.
"Signs are intended to distract drivers' attention and that poses a safety hazard, which is why they are prohibited. Improperly placed signs also can obstruct the site distance for drivers and pulls our crews off other important duties to remove them," she said.
Any sign removed by WYDOT must be retrieved within a week of the removal by contacting the closest WYDOT maintenance shop to arrange the pick up.
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