Elections are coming and campaigning is rampant. But it is disappointing when political signs, popular to get a candidate’s name out in the community, disappear from an ideal location along the road.

It may not be delinquents or law-breakers, but state, county or city employees just doing their jobs.

Signs that do not follow campaign statues dictated by the state are removed and transported to the state, county or city highway shop until they are claimed, according to County Auditor/Treasurer Dennis Distad.

The guidelines include:

-Signs cannot be placed on road right-of-ways. This means they cannot be placed on any public property, along roads or in the grass strip which lies between a road and sidewalk. Signs placed closer to the road may serve to be an obstacle for mowing or other activities and a distraction for drivers.

-Signs may be placed on private or commercial property if permission has been granted by the property owner.

– Signs must be placed

a specific distance from the center of the road: on county roads, signs must be 50 feet from the center of the road; on city streets, signs must be 30 to 35 feet from the center of the road, off the boulevard; and on state highways, signs must be at least 50 feet from the center of the road.

-There must be a disclaimer on each sign stating the person or committee who prepared and paid for the advertisement as well as their address.

Any violation will lead to the removal of signs. There is no fine, but if a disclaimer is not included in the advertisement, the parties involved will be guilty of a misdemeanor, according to the statutes.

(Contact Ann Austin at ann.austin@albertleatribune.com or 379-3435.)