Campaign signs illegal, elections official says

Two candidates for Carson City mayor are violating the law with their campaign signs by implying they are incumbents, according to Alan Glover, who supervises city elections.

Both Sean Lehmann and Jim Shirk have posted signs that have their names and the word "mayor" prominently next to them, which makes it seem like they already hold the office, Glover said.

"It seems pretty clear they're both in violation of Nevada statute," he said.

Shirk's signs say "Mayor Jim Shirk" and, in smaller letters, "you win with Jim."

Lehmann's signs say "Lehmann Mayor" inside a large box and, outside the box in smaller letters, say "vote August 12th." His Web site is also listed.

No one has filed a written complaint about the violation of law, Glover said, but if someone does, he'll forward the information to the Nevada Secretary of State's office, the department that enforces that law.

Lehmann, however, said he knows the law and his signs do not violate it.

His signs have the word "vote" in them, he said, which clearly indicates he is not already mayor.

"A junior high person could figure that out," he said.

The signs also read "Lehmann Mayor" not "Mayor Lehmann," he said, which shows he was not trying to make people think he was an incumbent.

"I don't know who is out to pick on me," he said. "My sign clearly says, without exception, 'vote Lehmann.' I don't know how anyone could be confused."

His signs have been up for three months, he said, and since no one has filed a complaint, the issue is not worthy of attention. Any complaint against his signs sound "a little fishy," he said, especially because several of his signs have been stolen.

"I have a hunch someone somewhere just doesn't like me," he said.

Shirk said he understands his signs might have a problem and he will fix them if they do violate the law.

He will talk to Glover and "respond in a timely manner" to his advice to correct the problem.

There are ways to do that, Glover said, like putting an "elect" sticker on the signs.

"It is recommended that candidates use the term 'elect,' 'for' or other identifier(s) as not to create the implication of incumbency," according to a handbook provided by the city elections department.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.