With School Board elections in all three districts serving Woodbury as well as a special Senate election scheduled for November 4, Woodbury will soon begin to sprout a bountiful crop of campaign signs. 

So it’s time for wise candidates, supporters, and other citizens to be aware of laws pertaining to the signs to make sure there is no partisan embarrassment or advantage.

In Minnesota, during state primary and general election periods, any size and number of non-commercial political signs are allowed on private property from 46 days before the primary to 10 days after the general election, as per statute 211B.045. This year signs cannot be posted until Friday September 19.

Signs cannot be placed on public utility poles, trees, or natural features. 

All campaign signs must prominently display the name and address of the person or committee responsible for them. 

Signs are prohibited on property owned by the city, county, and school districts. Signs also are prohibited from the right-of-way along county roadways (e.g. Radio Drive, Valley Creek Road, and Woodbury Drive), state roadways (e.g. Manning Avenue and Century Drive), and interstate roadways (e.g. I-94).

Placards on private property adjacent to city-owned right-of-way must be located at least five feet back from the curb or shoulder of the road. If the five-foot distance places the sign on a trail or sidewalk surface, then the signage must be placed on the dwelling side of the sidewalk.

If political campaign signs are found to be in violation and removed by Woodbury city staff, the signs will be placed within the trash enclosure located at City Hall. Signs will be disposed of 10 days after the election. However, political campaign signs placed on private property without permission of the private property owner may be disposed of immediately by the private property owner.

Woodbury requires that permission be received prior to the placement of signs on private property. The private property owner may withdraw that permission at any time.

If you see a campaign sign that is illegally placed (e.g., on public property or obstructing a roadway), you should not remove it yourself. Instead, you should: 

• Report it:
  Contact your local city or county election officials or public works department.
•  Provide Details:
  Give them the exact location of the sign and explain why it appears to be in violation of local ordinances.
•  Let Them Handle It:
  They are the only ones authorized to remove signs that are in violation of the law.

By reporting the violation, you ensure that the sign is removed legally and that the rights of the sign owner and the public are respected.

 It is illegal to remove political campaign signs in Minnesota, as doing so may constitute vandalism or theft. Minnesota law grants residents the right to display campaign signs, and unauthorized removal can result in legal penalties. City officials and law enforcement agencies take the removal of campaign signs seriously, as it interferes with free speech rights. 

Here’s why removing signs is illegal:

* Political campaign signs are considered a form of protected speech, and their removal infringes on a person’s right to express their political views. 

• Campaign signs are the property of the individual or organization that placed them, and taking them without permission is a form of theft. 
• Removing or damaging campaign signs can also be considered vandalism, a criminal offense.
•  Individuals who illegally remove campaign signs could face charges including theft, vandalism, and interference with protected speech. While signs have been removed by political organizers in past elections, they are more often damaged or taken as an act of mischief, experts say.

Woodbury parents are advised to review these laws with their youngsters.

Residents are also reminded that they can place signs within view of doorbell or security cameras so theft or vandalism can be more easily documented and reported to the police.