I once again climb aboard my soapbox to rant about election signs. It seems this topic continues to be a pet peeve with every election season. (And don’t those seasons seem to never end??)

These signs have been popping up overnight in just about every location one can place a sign. They adorn lawns, roadways, shopping center entrances and rural fields. Truly an economic boom for sign companies, the products tell us all who to vote for for which office. While an effective campaign tool, especially for those who have so many signs, candidates must remember that there are legal stipulations to posting these lovely “decorations.”

According to Secretary of Transportation Paul Mattox, “The law bans political signs and stickers from right of way locations especially highway shoulders, traffic signs or devices, trees, stones, fence posts and utility poles.”

Some of our candidates need to read that law and relocate some of their signage to more appropriate locations. Remarkably, those running for offices that either create, enforce or dictate the laws are some of the top offenders. Perhaps they rely on others to place their signs for them; however, they should know where they are ending up.

Add to the overabundance of signs those that are defaced by vandals. Graffiti and the like can be seen around the county on signage that candidates have spent a lot of money on. Grow up people! Even if you don’t particularly care for a candidate, be adult enough to simply show your choice in the voting booth. We don’t need to destroy the property of others.

Then comes the end of the election season. We encourage candidates to make note of where they place their signs and plan to go back and get them after campaign season is over. Sadly, there are still signs around from candidates who lost in the May primary.

The general election is scheduled for Nov. 8. Signs should be promptly removed so that our natural landscape can be enjoyed before we head into the winter season and potential inclement weather. While a time-consuming task, the efforts made by candidates will not be lost on the voting public.