I'd like to start by saying long time lurker....first time poster.

I'll begin with a rather innocuous subject.

What is the protocol for placing yard signs, specifically candidate supporters placing yard signs on private property? Is it typically "easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?"

Last weekend I was enjoying a hot cup of coffee on the couch at a relatively early hour when the dog runs to the front window and begins to growl. As I walked to the window I noticed that 4 signs (2 sets of 2) supporting candidates running for a local office had been strategically placed in both corners of my yard. As I stood there in a haze (the coffee hadn't set in yet) the dog then ran to the front door in a panic as there was an unknown person obviously attempting to leave something in the mailbox. The person, realizing they had been seen, reluctantly handed me a small piece of paper and informed me that they had placed 4 signs in my yard. Having not yet processed the situation I replied "ok" at which time the person left.

I feel slightly hoodwinked by this person. There was no attempt to explain who these candidates are, what their platform is or even a clear attempt at permission to put the signs in my yard. I felt like I had been the victim of the ole' flaming bag of dog dirt on the front step. After researching all of the candidates running for the office I decided that I would have in fact cast my ballot for those advertised in my yard, but after this encounter my vote will go elsewhere.

Now I'm a recent homeowner in GE and this being my first such experience, am I overreacting?

I'm going to guess that's illegal. It's also pretty silly of the person installing the sign to cheese off a potential vote. And I'd rip them out of the lawn, and pitch them in the trash right away. Someone should have asked your permission first. This is not necessarily something the candidate knows about, however, as supporters will often take dozens of signs to distribute.

People who have signs in their yards either 1) are actual supporters of the candidate or 2) couldn't care less but were asked by someone (e.g. friend/acquaintance) if they could put a sign up. In either case, your permission should be obtained.

That said, are you sure they didn't just put them right near the lot line? Sometimes folks will put two or even three signs up on the middle and the edges a property (especially a wide lot) to make it look like there are three houses in a row that support the candidate when in fact it's only one. Also, vacant land/houses are prime targets for unscrupulous sign-placers who don't ask permission first, as they will stay in place a while before the owner even knows they're there (if they ever find out).

Lastly, congrats on your first post. And you'll find that Glen Ellyn LOVES putting up yard signs - and keeping them up long past their useful life.....

Thanks Middlein!

First thing I did this morning was pull them out and put them in the trash. And they were clearly in my yard and at least 10 feet from the easement. I know we need to do some updating on the exterior but I wouldn't consider my house as looking vacant. And I was the only house for blocks with the signs. If I'm not mistaken isn't it illegal (although not enforced) to place signs for anything on a "public way" without a permit anyway?

BTW - I grew up in GE and flew the coop after college only to finally settle down here many years later. I know how we GE'rs like to make statement's with yard signs.

Never having owned a home myself, I can't say either way....but those I know that DO own homes have advised me that they are supposed to ask you FIRST. I've heard, however, that many of them do exactly as your situation advised....place the signs and leave the lit in the mailbox.

I do believe this is illegale AND enforceable. I do not believe very many people push the issue with local law enforcement, however.

Just my two cents (which, as a long-time lurker, I'm certain you expected, lol).

Also, unless it has a stamp on it and has been processed by the USPS, it is illegal to place any literature in your mailbox. It can be stuck in your door, atached to your door knob, or thrown willy nilly onto your front porch, but the mailbox is verboten.

You should call the campaigns' headquarters and alert them to their mistake. They should come out and get those signs, pronto.

Yes, asking permission is the protocol. I've been called and asked for permission from the politician's office. That was years ago. Or people contact the website or office and ask for signs - mainly supporters, family, friends, etc. Maybe they had the wrong address. It may have been an innocent mistake. Whatever it was, they are now missing 4 signs.

quote:

it is illegal to place any literature in your mailbox.

You are correct. It is illegal to place
literature in A mailbox. Legally it is not your mailbox. You purchase it and mount it but it is the property of the U.S. Postal Service.

It's because you live on a dead end street.
Signs are all about maximum exposure.

Quick question to the original poster:

Were they orange? Because I had the exact same thing happen to me this year. I kept wondering how they got so many signs up last time around--I kept seeing orange signs a few years ago everywhere. Now it's happening again but I guess now I know how it's done.

I personally just took mine down. I'm actually surprised a candidate could get away with that. At some point wouldn't the entire town get upset about that?

I'm fairly certain this was the result of an honest mistake. My guess is that the previous owners of the house had requested the signs and that this particular candidate's records still showed that request as active. Just to clarify my original post, this was not an issue of someone going up and down the street and placing signs in everyone's yards. This leads me to believe that there was either a mistake with the address or the request. Either way I haven't even thought about it since and I can't even remember what color the signs were.

What's even worse IMO are the dozens of signs that pop up at every intersection and abandoned properties around election time. I understand that name recognition is important but will I really form an opinion of a candidate based on the number of signs that can be packed onto a corner.....nope.